As we said in the previous chapter, social networks can become the bedrock of social capital; in other words, in order to connect, communicate, cooperate, and build trust, one has to be involved in multiple relationships. This grid, commonly known as a network, is also sometimes referred to as “a web without a spider” (Barabási, 2003). Because social networks play a crucial role in the buildup of social capital (Putnam, 1996; Lin, 2001; Putnam & Gross, 2002; Coleman, 2003; Field, 2008; Praszkier et al., 2009), it is important to explore this subject further.

Social networks: what are they?

Social networks are social structures made of individuals or organizations (called nodes) that are connected by way of specific interrelations (Wasserman & Faust, 1994; Degenne & Forsé, 1999). Those nodes exchange information, either via personal interaction or through communication technologies.