人口減少地域におけるソーシャルキャピタル概念の適用に関する文化人類的検討

抄録

This study examined the validity of using social capital (SC) as an indicator in anthropological surveys in areas of declining population. In recent years, the definition of SC according to Putnam has been commonly used in the context of practical sciences, which emphasize the functional aspect of SC, omitting the agency concept defined by Bourdieu. A questionnaire evaluating SC using Putnam’s definition failed to identify the social bonds that have been sustained in traditional village societies in Japan; the questionnaire indicated that participation in civil activities was very low. However, participation in the old people’s association and the fire service, which are representative voluntary associations in Japan, was not counted among civic activities, probably because participation in such voluntary associations was too “obvious” for informants. This study suggests that the concept of SC should be reinvestigated in future studies.