抄録
A great amount of work now has been done upon neighborhood association studies.Characteristics and functions were evaluated empirically, and the need of regional-type sorting based on the differences identified has been heard. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear why neighborhood associations of the same area can have different characteristics, neither has it been fully explained why both developing and declining neighborhood associations occur simultaneously within one neighborhood.
This paper applies social capital theory described by James S. Coleman to neighborhood associations. It also describes neighborhood associations as social capital, accumulated collective interactions of the individuals involved. That is to see that sustained viability of neighborhood associations has been much due to rational choices of proactive actors.
Further in this thesis, In order to see how individuals make decisions upon their participation, social assets and liabilities constructing social capital, and both expected benefits and costs are also described. Thus two positions of rational choice making are clearly sorted. Conclusively reaching two findings, that characteristic differences of neighborhood associations are due to accumulational level of social capital, and having two positions for initial choice making has a great impact upon bearing simultaneous growing/fading dynamics within one area.
