Social Capital and Social Stratification in Mexico

This paper analyzes the role of social capital in the process of social stratification in Mexico. It uses national data from a representative survey that provides information on the extent, hierarchy, and diversity of personal social capital. The paper examines the extent to which socioeconomic background and education influence access to social capital and analyzes the association between social capital and socioeconomic outcomes. The results indicate that access to social capital is strongly influenced by socioeconomic background and education. However, they also show that social capital has a relevant independent effect on social stratification in Mexico through its direct association with socioeconomic outcomes. The paper concludes with a discussion about the significant role of personal networks, not only as a mediator between social origins and destinations but also as an important independent factor that may act either as a facilitator or as an obstacle to social mobility.