SOCIAL CAPITAL, ADULT LEARNING AND EQUALITY

It is widely acknowledged that social capital is a value in its own right. Membership in various organizations and networks is a process of building joint interests and shared norms, which in turn produces trust and better understanding of differences in culture, background and life-style. During this process democracy can emerge and individuals can have the opportunity to capture rights and benefits. From a slightly different viewpoint, it is emphasised also that the social capital created within a social structure, such as reciprocity or mutual aid, increases the opportunities for collective action (Oyen, 2002). Where there is social action, there