"When a group of neighbors informally keep an eye on one another's homes, that's social capital in action. When a tightly knit community of Hassidic Jews trade diamonds without having to test each gem for purity, that's social capital in action. Barn-raising on the frontier was social capital in action, and so too are e-mail exchanges among members of a cancer support group. Social capital can be found in friendship networks, neighborhoods, churches, schools, bridge clubs, civic associations, and even bars. "
I think that this kind of social capital is very evident on St. Olaf's campus. We have friendship networks that exist because of sports teams, music groups, even classes. The students look out for each other, just like some neighbors do for each other. We have a built in system of trust -- we get to leave our bags and books around and trust that no one will steal them. This is such a privilege. Many of my friends and larger universities are appalled that we have such a trust system. They say that they could never leave any of their personal belongings unattended, much less their dorm room unlocked. Even though my roommate and I lock our doors every time we leave, I know of at least 4 rooms on my floor that are never locked. All of this is because we have this system of trust. Trust has built large social capital on this St. Olaf campus, and it is interesting to think what the world would be like if there was a trust system in every country like there is on our campus.
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