![social capital hands.jpeg](https://whaleshares.io/imageupload_data/3c8236a3d4394e07e99dcf95f927f416bb351af4)

Social Capital Theory On The Blockchain

Social Capital Theory, as defined by research done at Harvard University,  those resources inherent in social relations which facilitate collective action. Social capital resources include trust, norms, and networks of association representing any group which gathers consistently for a common purpose. The majority  of the research done on Social Capital Theory in recent times mostly,  came about from research conducted by Dr. Robert Putnam of Harvard University. Relationship wise to Human Capital which focuses more on individual skills, talents and knowledge. Social Capital seems to treat and focus on relationships as resources.

We'd like to discuss aspects of Social Capital in relation to the blockchain. It's important to note that Social Capital is not Social Media. However, in the construction of a model investigating social capital norms online or on the blockchain. Many aspects of what we derive from our associations and relations can play out to a great degree over the blockchain specifically social media platforms.

Social Capital has in some cases tremendous value. However no scale exists to measure it. A friend of a friend could help an individual land a very lucrative job. This obviously would be of great value to the recipient. However, such a situation would never have come about without the relationship value of the parties. The blockchain is finding many uses of applications of such ideas.

Whereas, social networks  that exist like steemit and whaleshares create communities to curate and value content. It becomes ever so clear that much of the value associated with posts and shared content and information are more a reflection of the relationships and groups that follow the content creator. As some of the valuation methods across the blockchain may be suggested to be subjective. It would seemingly stand that the relationships that give over the value to the post are very much clear and physically valuable.

This works quite well with social capital theory. The value lies much in your interaction. The concept of the person receiving a job from the relationships of parties they associate with. The opportunity presented due to the relationship. To put a value on this would clearly be more than zero.

In use of this with a blockchain model. It would be much more difficult to ascertain the exact value to move as a unit of currency or even a specific value of information. My thoughts and suggestions would be a consensus model, as consensus and verifiable ledgers as well as monetary policies seem to be some of the best uses of blockchain technology, that is verified outside of the existing ecosystem. Similar to how outside agencies audit people or businesses.


![r value.jpeg](https://whaleshares.io/imageupload_data/4e00c1ec310726e4b980d401fbe2de3783123bac)


Of course many models can exist that explore social capital theory over the blockchain. It will be interesting to see this implemented over the blockchain. As Social Capital theory over the last few years has gained much attention. It wouldn't surprise me to see more models in operation.

What social capital theory could mean for the blockchain is healthy distribution of opportunity and better relationships across the planet. Social capital experiments with tapping the value within individuals contrived from self generated and created resources. To illustrate in basic idea how some blockchain models could work. There could be a trade between value of ideas versus physical resources. For instance one group could fund or pay another group that has resources of important relationships and abilities to link parties to other beneficial opportunities through specific relationships. Although in some similarities this would more play out as human capital. Human capital could also perform a changing and altering function into social capital.

The blockchain is new. Many aspects of social capital research is in it's genesis. We will present more information and concepts in social capital theory in a series over time. Will be interesting to see how the blockchain uses social capital!