Lakkhana Termsirikulchai. Social capital and health movement : a case study of Sasjha Sasomsup in Trad province . Doctoral Degree(Medical and Health Social Sciences). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Social capital and health movement : a case study of Sasjha Sasomsup in Trad province
Abstract:
This study aims were to understand the concept, characteristics and model of
social capital in related to the Sasjha Sasomsup Health Movement in Trad Province
(SST) based on Bourdieu’s concept. The qualitative research through in-depth
interview , participatory observation and focus group was conducted between January
and April 2004. The results revealed that SST‘s social capital was a collective
phenomenon, integrated into the way of life of the local community, and its ideology
was based on family, community, and religious values. The study exemplifies Wat
Pailorm, where Buddhist ideology was implemented to create social, cultural and
human capital in Trad Province. From the operations of the SST groups, 4 alternative
spheres were created: (1) a social network where bonding networks and bridging
networks are being created, (2) sign/language/symbols/ SST Groups identity
integrated in their way of life (e.g. savings, loans, SST working days, etc.) (3) rules ,
regulations and power in the SST Groups (power in this case emanates from 2
sources: belief in the supernatural, rules and regulations based on the Dhamma) and
(4) a counter to mainstream economics. In the case of the molasses network in Trad,
the SST Groups were able to manipulate the price of molasses, creating a counter
discourse by proving that profit was not their main objective. These alternative
spaces have become the social capital of the SST Groups, which has survived and
expanded through the logic of Buddhist Economics, which emphasizes norms of
reciprocity, trust and faith. It contradicts mainstream economics, which emphasizes
profit, specialization, and is not concerned with morals or understanding the nature of
human beings.
This study has resulted in recommendations for the development of social
capital: (1) the development of social capital should always start from an existing
local capital, which differs for each community, (2) an analysis of drawbacks should
always be conducted to avoid negative effects, and (3) social, human, cultural and
economic capital are constantly changing. Social capital is a power function: a
struggle between the mainstream economics and the grass-roots economics, which is a
fight for the recognition of legitimacy. Thus, this battle becomes a symbolic power
struggle. Bonding networks at the Tambon level and bridging networks at the
Amphur, provincial and national levels are not sufficient to make SST Groups
ideology existed, stabilized and further developed in the globalization. Therefore, the
SST Groups need to develop networks at regional and international levels.