Social Justice and Social Capital
January 25, 2006 · Print This Article
Why do I keep talking about social capital?
I believe that social justice in America is fundamentally linked not to the redistribution of financial capital/wealth, but the redistribution of social capital/wealth.
Sociologist Robert Putnam in “Bowling Alone” investigates the idea of social capital and links the decline of social capital to the deterioration of American society: “Social capital refers to social networks, norms of reciprocity, mutual assistance, and trustworthiness. Some networks link people who are similar in crucial respects and tend to be inward-looking — bonding social capital. Others encompass different types of people and tend to be outward-looking — bridging social capital.”
I think some Christian communities (the ones who have been successful at creating genuine community) are either guilty of hording social capital or are ripe for leading the way in a radical redistribution of the networks, infrastructure, personal resources, education, possessions, personal example, etc. that will truly transform society.
For example: While the poor in this country (financially, socially, and spiritually poor) will take our money and donations, that’s not what they truly need — there is enough money and social programs in America. What they need is mentoring and job opportunities, daycare and rides to work, someone to talk to about their troubles, and to generally be in close contact/relationships with stable people who can help them get stable themselves.
Does this sound like incarnate ministry to anyone else?
The concept of social capital has yet to be used in a social justice context (except maybe by me), but I see amazing potential here when combined with the ideals of Christian community, the mandate for justice, and when applied to the average suburban Christian. At very least the energy of the idea could accelerate us beyond compassion and into the individual and community development stages of the social justice continuum. See previous posts.
Sounds like you nailed it!
I attended the AIDS & Global Poverty event tonight. They need to understand social justice. There was a ton of compassion in the room (let’s have a garage sale to send money to the orphans) but no commitment to structual change.
“Incarnate Integration & Investment”, isn’t that the way Jesus did it? Is the example He set that hard to see?
I guess I believe there needs to be both - social and financial redistribution. Neither one will address the huge problems we face alone. On an individual, church, community level we need to be responsible, but we also need a government that is responsive to the overwhelming needs of people, which I don’t believe it is - other than to an elite few.
Governmental redistribution is not an answer.
It oppresses those it intends to help by giving hand outs and not a hand up (think of a 30 year old still living at home).
It is unbiblical. Prov 6:10; 2 Thess 3:10 “whoever does not work, should not eat.”
It steals resources from Christians that they could use to be distributed in a manner without God.
Christ did not say, “Your government should minister to the poor.” He said we as individuals should. It is clearly the responsibility of the church not the government in the Bible. Governmental redistribution is elitists stating that it is not their job or responsibility to help the poor. Jesus specifically commands us otherwise.
Saying the government has a responsibility to cure poverty in effect says that your God is not big enough!!!
Social Justice, this Blog and WC are not about political/partisan faux solutions like government redistribution (Socialism/Communism).
Social Justice, this Blog and WC are about a CALL TO ACTION FOR CHRISTIANS to live, teach and impart the total restoration that Christ brought us!
It is high time that Christians got up off of their blessed assurance and out of their godly boy recliners and started acting like they serve, love and worship a God that has a little bit of power. (2 Tim 3:5) You know the God, the One who created the universe with the spoken word that now lives inside every Christian. Yeah, that one.