capitals review

Upcoming Quiz Information

• Quiz 3 will be available tomorrow morning.

• Students should complete the quiz by the 17th.

• The quiz consists of 10 questions and contributes 5% to the overall grade.

• Previous quizzes have been well-received, with most students performing successfully.

Review of Capital Framework

• The capitals framework will be reviewed with an emphasis on community change and governance.

Natural Capital

• Definition: Refers to stocks of natural resources and ecosystem services critical to human well-being (as defined by the World Bank).

• Ecosystem Services: Include essential services provided by nature such as water provision and natural barriers against floods.

• Viewing Perspectives:

  • Utilitarian Perspective: Common in western contexts where natural resources are valued mainly for economic gain (e.g., trees for lumber).

  • Indigenous Perspective: Sees nature as part of interconnected relationships; highlights reciprocity with ecosystems.

• Finite Nature: Natural capital is limited, and there is a finite amount of water, forests, and species.

• Importance of natural capital as a foundation for all other forms of capital.

Cultural Capital

• Definition: Encompasses the complex aspects of culture including knowledge, beliefs, customs, and arts.

• Cultural capital is richer when viewed through indigenous perspectives, particularly in examples like Ecuador.

• Material vs. Intent: Distinction between tangible elements (e.g., clothing, music) and intangible aspects (values, norms).

• Historical continuity: Some cultural elements persist over generations while others evolve due to globalization and modern influences.

• Analysis can uncover how cultural capital evolves in the face of external pressures and community interactions.

Human Capital

• Definition: The skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by individuals or the community as a whole.

• Includes both formal education and informal learning (especially prevalent in indigenous communities).

• Health and well-being are integral parts of human capital as they impact productivity and economic contributions.

• Examination of cases where extraction of natural resources affects community health and well-being.

Social Capital

• Definition: The value derived from social networks and relationships, emphasized since the 1990s in social sciences.

• Example: A community's ability to leverage social capital against large corporations, such as Chevron, illustrates its power.

• Social capital is dynamic and can be strengthened over time, influencing community resilience and advocacy.

Political Capital

• Political capital often reflects dominant cultural norms; it aligns with established values in a society, such as liberal democratic norms in Canada.

• Interplay between political and cultural capitals: Cultural values influence political decisions and actions.

• Consideration of financial capital and its transformation into human and built capital.

Infrastructure and Community Engagement

• Infrastructure (e.g., roads) plays a critical role in community connectivity and economic development.

• Improvements in infrastructure can drastically change travel times and economic opportunities (e.g., roads in Ecuador).

• The unique experiences of navigating infrastructure illustrate the diversity of community challenges.

Group Activity

• Students will break into groups to discuss the Vera Arvest documentary.

• Groups should analyze examples within the community, focusing on at least two forms of capital.

• Discussion time is allocated for about 10 minutes before regrouping to share findings.