Social Capital and Poverty: Lessons from case studies in Mexico and Central America

Margarita Flores and Fernando Rello
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Margarita Flores: Agricultural and Development Economics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization

No 03-12, Working Papers from Agricultural and Development Economics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO - ESA)

Abstract: The aim of this article is to study the relations between social capital (SC) and the result of the efforts made by poor groups to reduce their poverty and social exclusion. To this end, SC is defined as the ability to obtain benefits from networks of social relations. This definition is then applied to the analysis of rural organizations in Mexico and Central America. The authors conclude that SC is a key resource in the success of the projects of the poor groups analyzed. However, in order for this to occur, certain conditions have to be met such as the preservation of social cohesion, the ability to solve new problems and a favorable economic and political climate.

Keywords: Agricultural development; Case studies; Central America; Development agencies; Development aid; Food supply; Living standards; Mexico; Poverty; Rural communities; Rural development; Social behaviour; Social change; Social conditions; Socioeconomic develop (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O1 O2 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2003
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published in Culture & Agriculture (American Anthropological Association), vol 25, number 1.

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