Social Capital explains the importance of using social connections and social relations in achieving goals. Social capital, or resources accessed through such connections and relations, is critical (along with human capital, or what a person or organization actually possesses) in achieving goals for individuals, social groups, organizations, and communities. The book introduces a theory that forcefully argues and shows why "it is who you know," as well as "what you know" that makes a difference in life and society.

Part I. Theory and Research: 1. Theories of capital: the historical foundation; 2. Social capital: capital captured through social relations; 3. Resources, hierarchy, networks, and homophily: the structural foundation; 4. Resources, motivations, and interactions: the action foundation; 5. The theory and theoretical propositions; 6. Social capital and status attainment: a research tradition; 7. Inequality in social capital: a research agenda; Part II. Conceptual Extensions: 8. Social capital and the emergence of social structure: a theory of rational choice; 9. Reputation and social capital: the rational basis for social change; 10. Social capital in hierarchical structures; 11. Institutions, networks and capital building; 12. Cybernetworks and the global village: the rise of social capital; Part III. Epilogue: 13. The future of the theory.