How can local government contribute to the development of social capital? A novel strategy for local and integrated sustainability

Abstract

Abstract One of the most critical elements of local and integrated sustainability is raising the social capital of the villagers, even though the effectiveness of the local administration influences this. Enhancing the many facets of villagers' social capital is challenging and sometimes needs to be within reach in underdeveloped nations. Only a few studies have looked at the variables that might prevent or promote the development of villagers' social capital related to their involvement in integrated, sustainable local development projects. This article investigates the figure of social capital in sustainable, locally based rural development in Tehran Province, Iran, to fill this knowledge gap. The results show the intrinsic barriers to improving social capital dimensions because of exogenous factors affecting local government. They use empirical data, such as legal and regulatory factors, government policy-making, and local government dependence on the national government, especially in top-down management like Iran, the framework of social organizations related to formal institutions. Findings also show that if the local government's exogenous factors and the villagers' power are improved, their social capital will increase, and the local government and villagers can use it. Such knowledge can transform the villagers' experiences to enhance their social capital by focusing on a pattern between themselves and their settlement. The villagers' social capital can significantly enable them to achieve what they aspire to in local and integrated sustainability rural development and make actual change. This article concludes with this analysis's implications for improving villagers' social capital in local and integrated sustainability.