Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? (2023, 10 Marks)

Paper	GS Paper 4
Word Limit	150 words
Syllabus Topic	Ethics in public administration – ethical governance and good governance

Model Answer

Social capital is the network of relationships, shared norms and trust that helps people work together for common benefit. Thinkers like Robert Putnam and Pierre Bourdieu made the idea popular.

Forms

• Bonding: ties within a group, like family or community.
• Bridging: ties across groups.
• Linking: ties between citizens and institutions.

How It Enhances Good Governance

• Participation: active gram sabhas and SHGs make people partners; Kudumbashree links Kerala’s women SHGs with local governments.
• Accountability: social audits under MGNREGA.
• Lower cost: trust brings voluntary compliance with taxes and rules.
• Better delivery: Jan Bhagidari in Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Local solutions: Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra) changed through collective water conservation.
• Harmony: bridging ties reduce social conflict.

Caution

Too much bonding capital can breed nepotism, caste politics and exclusion.

Conclusion

The state should build bridging and linking ties through transparency and participation. Trust between people and government is the base of good governance.

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