The Role of Liberal Arts in the Development of Social Capital

The role and importance of social capital as a modern concept in the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of the societies and its important functions besides the other types of capitals (cultural, human, physical and economic) places a greater attention on the development of this concept. Comparative studies have also been conducted to analyze and compare the positive impacts of social capital in different domains and to present effective strategies for the fortification of this type of capital. In Iran, attempts have also been made to clarify the role and status of social capital but the factors that lead to the creation and development of social capital have not been much examined. The results of other relevant studies show that the Higher Education in general and the Liberal Arts domain in particular play an important role in the creation and development of social capital. In this article, attempts have been made to examine the nature of social capital and how it is influenced by the Liberal Arts domain. Effective strategies have also been suggested to strengthen the role of social capital through the Liberal Arts domain.