This book examines the variances of violence and social capital between five cities in Somalia. The research inquiry applies social capital theory to analyze inter-clan and intra-clan associations, trust, quotidian and associational networks, and social cohesion with armed conflict. Variances in violence and social capital between five cities in Somalia are analyzed quantitatively and detailed case studies are presented for three cities qualitatively. The research looks at the paradoxical power of social capital in creating and resolving armed conflict. It investigates several questions pertaining to issues surrounding social capital and armed conflict: Does social capital contribute to armed conflict or does it help resolve it? What kinds of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linking—contribute to armed conflict and what kinds mitigate it? In addressing the above issues, different proxies are used to quantitatively and qualitatively distinguish the concepts of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital.

About the Author

Kiyoshi Matsukawa, a Japanese national, holds a PhD from the University of Tokyo, a Masters of Arts in International Politics from Aoyama Gakuin University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of London. He has worked for the United Nations Secretariat in various capacities focusing on peace and security issues and served over three years with the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). Prior to joining the United Nations, he worked in investment banking and news television. 

Categories: Politics, Current Affairs/AFRICA

Trim size: 6 x 9"

Page count: 302 

Publication date: 2020