Leveraging Social Cohesion for Development Outcomes
Efforts to promote social cohesion through development projects have had to contend with multiple definitions of the term, a lack of clarity on diagnostic and measurement approaches, and contradictory evidence on the effectiveness of different types of interventions meant to repair or reinforce it. This paper first offers a definition of social cohesion that highlights three sets of relations: those connecting individuals within a community (bonding), those connecting individuals across distinct communities (bridging), and those connecting individuals to people and structures in a position of power (linking). Together, these three dimensions constitute a framework for diagnosing gaps in social cohesion, assessing trends, and prioritizing interventions and investments. The paper also outlines strategies for diagnosing gaps in social cohesion and tracking trends along these three dimensions, providing concrete recommendations for teams designing social cohesion measurement strategies. Finally, the paper reviews the evidence on what works to reinforce cohesion within community, to build trust across groups, and to strengthen citizen-state relations. This review highlights different types of intervention that can help promote social cohesion, while suggesting that their effectiveness is conditional on sound diagnoses and rigorous implementation processes.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Working Paper biblioteca |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2023-04-24
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| Subjects: | SOCIAL COHESION, SOCIAL COHESION MEASUREMENT, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, COLLECTIVE ACTION, EMPOWERMENT, CITIZEN-STATE RELATIONS, FRAGILE COMMUNITIES, |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099723304202334301/IDU0053a35270965b0414f090ff0157bb9183a68 https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/39731 |
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| Summary: | Efforts to promote social cohesion
through development projects have had to contend with
multiple definitions of the term, a lack of clarity on
diagnostic and measurement approaches, and contradictory
evidence on the effectiveness of different types of
interventions meant to repair or reinforce it. This paper
first offers a definition of social cohesion that highlights
three sets of relations: those connecting individuals within
a community (bonding), those connecting individuals across
distinct communities (bridging), and those connecting
individuals to people and structures in a position of power
(linking). Together, these three dimensions constitute a
framework for diagnosing gaps in social cohesion, assessing
trends, and prioritizing interventions and investments. The
paper also outlines strategies for diagnosing gaps in social
cohesion and tracking trends along these three dimensions,
providing concrete recommendations for teams designing
social cohesion measurement strategies. Finally, the paper
reviews the evidence on what works to reinforce cohesion
within community, to build trust across groups, and to
strengthen citizen-state relations. This review highlights
different types of intervention that can help promote social
cohesion, while suggesting that their effectiveness is
conditional on sound diagnoses and rigorous implementation processes. |
|---|