According to Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and the concept’s leading proponent (though not its originator), social capital “refers to the collective value of all ‘social networks‘ and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other”. According to Putnam and his followers, social capital is a key component to building and maintaining democracy. Putnam says that social capital is declining in the United States. This is seen in lower levels of trust in government and lower levels of civic participation. Putnam also says that television and urban sprawl have had a significant role in making America far less connected.

Some educations theorists believe that social capital is also a key component to the success of young people in school and the workplace. Studies show that social capital plays as much as a role as actual classroom performance in attaining entrance into colleges and careers of choice.