Social capital: the history of the development of scientific ideas about the phenomenon

the article provides a historical and theoretical analysis of the formation and evolution of the concept of "Social Capital" from the 19th century to the present day. The study is based on T. Claridge’s periodization, which distinguishes four stages: pre-conceptual, the emergence of the term, early conceptual development, and popularization. The article examines key approaches to defining social capital at each stage, alongside their evolution within the context of social, economic, and cultural transformations. Particular attention is devoted to the overarching theoretical differences in interpreting the phenomenon of social capital across three main perspectives: rational, critical, and democratic. Within the rational approach, social capital is conceptualized as a set of social connections yielding practical benefits for individuals or groups. The critical perspective emphasizes the cultural value of social ties, viewing them as an integral part of societal heritage. The democratic approach regards social capital as a tool facilitating and optimizing social interactions.This work contributes a novel interdisciplinary framework to sociology, highlighting social capital’s role in fostering trust, cooperation, and societal cohesion, and offering insights into its dynamic evolution across diverse theoretical lenses. The article also systematizes specific differences in the interpretation of social capital, identifies key conceptual divergences among the approaches, and outlines prospects for further research into this phenomenon in contemporary sociology.

sociology, social capital, conceptual evolution, theoretical perspectives, social connections, trust, societal norms, rational perspective, critical perspective, democratic perspective