Forms of social capital in present-day Soweto: A factor analysis of household survey data

Policy Paper (Interest) 18

This paper analyses data on social capital, gathered in Soweto in a 1,500-household survey in 1999 (see ERSA policy papers no. 4 and 15), mainly with factor analytical techniques, in order to reveal any patterns and fit them into meaningful categories in terms of the specific social context, of existing theory, or of new insights. Seven primary factors and three secondary ones have been identified; the two strongest characteristics are a distinct form of social capital typical of higher-income households.