ICT and Social Capital in the Knowledge Society

The report examines the relationship between ICTs and social capital against the backdrop of the Lisbon objectives. It discusses the most relevant arguments put forth during a workshop held in Seville in November 2004, including the three background papers that were commissioned for that occasion. It includes an overview of the relationship between social capital and ICT, elaborates on the 'empowerment vs. balkanisation' debate, problematises the notions of digital divide and death of distance, addresses the relationship between social capital and communities of practice, and concludes with key messages to policy makers and key avenues for future research on ICT and social capital in Europe. ftp://ftp.jrc.es/pub/EURdoc/eur21064en.pdf