Mapping and measuring social capital through assessment of collective action to conserve and develop watersheds in Rajasthan, India
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Abstract
Social capital is a popular current concept in the development literature and in development agencies. But is it real enough to be measured in the field and validated by achievement of desired outcomes of development programs? Is it something that can be purposefully increased? This chapter reports on the observed relationships between social capital measures and development outcomes in sixty-four villages in the Indian State of Rajasthan. Since 1991 these villages have participated in a watershed conservation and development program funded by the Indian government and the World Bank. The villages provide an empirical basis for evaluating whether social capital can be identified and measured quantitatively.