SOCIAL CAPITAL AND EMPOWERMENT IN GRASS-ROOTS ORGANIZATIONS: A STUDY OF TWO ZONES IN SOUTHERN CHILE

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to analyze the social capital in the leadership of diverse kinds of grass-roots organizations in two zones of southern Chile and how this inflows on the diverse empowerment levels. The results based on the social networks qualitative and quantitative data shows that the social capital, both external and internal, are focused on the leaders, which does not allow the rest of the community members to have access to existing resources inside and outside the organisation. This findings shows that is not enough with the development of the leaders psychological empowerment to develop organizational and community empowerment.