The dark side of social capital: social and political implications

Abstract

The aim of this article is to question the direct association between communicative interaction in social networks and the production of a kind of social capital that brings good profits to the community. Social capital can also foster negative effects on social relations. It is argued that relations established by such principles can favor the emergence of the dark side of social capital. To gain a concrete negative form, social capital depends on special socioeconomical conditions such as, unequal bonds among social actors and absence of State actions and authority. This kind of social and economic injustice can lead to an increasing organized crime, perpetuation of protectionist relations and corruption.