5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Social capital is related to various social mechanisms related to social networks, trust, and social norms. The sociologically important function of social capital is to encourage people to cooperate widely, making it possible to smoothly manage public goods, provide support during disasters, and resolve social dilemmas and conflict situations. At the same time, there are interesting points of discussion both theoretically and practically, such as network dynamics regarding the balance between bonding and bridging, the paradox of trust, the conditions for the generation of social norms, and the problem of the inevitable dark side. In addition, since social capital can be considered a rational choice embedded in the social structure, there is also a theoretical point of discussion regarding the fusion of micro-macro links in both action and social relations. In this session, we would like to deepen the discussion on these points by elucidating the social mechanisms related to social capital. Various approaches, such as theoretical, empirical, simulation and formal studies, are welcome. In particular, research questions that are related with the theme of the forum are expected.