The Paradox of Social Capital of  Iranian Educated People: Survey and Study on the Relationship Between Higher Education and Social Capital in Iran

Zaker Salehi, Gholamreza

doi:10.22047/ijee.2009.611

The Paradox of Social Capital of Iranian Educated People: Survey and Study on the Relationship Between Higher Education and Social Capital in Iran

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Author

Gholamreza Zaker salehi

Assistant Professor, Faculty Member of Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education(IRPHE)

https://doi.org/10.22047/ijee.2009.611

Abstract

Social capital is a collection of characteristics and concepts of social organization like trust, norms and networks which facilitates cooperation among members for getting common interests. The studies conducted in this field around the world often confirm positive relation between education and promotion of social capital. This research contains 15 case studies in foreign countries and 13 meta-analyses in Iran. In contrast with mutual and positive relation between social and human capital, the studies carried in Iran show that higher education system has not played a big role in the field of social capital promotion of educated people. The meta analysis of foreign and domestic studies highlights this semantic theory that in contrast with global researches, the increase of education level in Iran has negative effect on Iranian social capital. The study of these tow paradoxical trends shapes the next step of solving this unconformity and reviews the different aspects of problem during meta analysis. Finally, this study suggests six policies for filling the existing gap and promoting social capital level of university graduates.

Keywords

Social Capital

Education

Higher education

Trust

Networks

norms