Socio-communicational capital in the digital age - Anabella-Maria Tarnovan

This book is the result of the author's intense preoccupation with two aspects in the society of today social capital and communication, notably digital network communication for social change and development. It goes without saying that while both communication and social capital have always constituted a priority for sustainable development, the rise of the network society adds another dimension to this complex interplay. This is why Anabella-Maria Tarnovan challenges us to overcome the predominant economic tradition in social capital theory and rethink social capital through the lens of communication, communication processes and communication theories. Tarnovan concludes that the rise of the Internet, the paradigm shift in communication towards mass self-communication and the pervasiveness of horizontal communication networks have created a new momentum for social capital and social change, particularly by enabling the emergence of a new form, specific to the network society - socio-communicational capital. The book includes both theoretical and practical implications for social development, communication for social change, media studies, political economy of communication, democratic theory and policy-making.