Building Social Capital in Hong Kong by Institutionalising Participation: Potential and Limitations

Abstract

This paper draws on ethnographic research in Hong Kong to question the effectiveness of Elinor Ostrom's `design principles' in providing solutions to social divisions by social capital building and institutionalised participation. It challenges the strategic and instrumental assumptions of human motivations for not adequately considering moral concerns, a sense of commitment and the right way of doing things in social cooperation. The tendency to formalise the process of participation, by authority building, rule enforcement and threat of sanction, plays down the role of informal institutions in mediating modes of interactions. The practices of good governance can undermine the already-limited social capital of poor people. This paper concludes by offering the `agency—institutions—structures' framework in analysing social capital.

Barriers Militating Against the Social Inclusion of Low-Income Pakistani Minority Groups in Hong Kong

“…Although Pridmore et al (2007) point out that many forms of social capital can be found globally, Wong (2008) argues that it exists at a very weakened and impoverished level in Hong Kong, and even that social bonding is at "crisis" level in this region. This study warns the government that weakening social networks will create strong reliance of the government in the long run (Wong, 2008(Wong, : 1418. This study warns the government that weakening social networks will create strong reliance of the government in the long run (Wong, 2008(Wong, : 1418.…”

Climate change and sustainable technology: re-linking poverty, gender, and governance

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