A Dynamic Balance: Social Capital and Sustainable Community Development

Liette Vasseur is associate vice-president of research at Laurentian
University.

A Dynamic Balance is a collection of recent studies on community-based
development from Australia and Canada. The book explores the different
approaches considered by communities to enhance their level of
sustainability in light of their social capital potential. The
perspectives of various types of communities such as Aboriginal, rural,
and urban societies are analyzed and demonstrate the “dynamic
balance” between social and natural capitals in achieving sustainable
development. The first part of the book explores the theoretical
concepts of social capital as an essential component of sustainable
development, while the second part examines the actions taken by
communities as concrete examples of the challenges that we all face when
aiming to achieve better reconciliation.

Early in the book, social capital is identified as an important
component in development, intricately linked with natural capital. The
challenge of reconciling these interdependencies is clear throughout A
Dynamic Balance. The conclusion by Ann Dale provides a good summary of
the disconnections that still exist between the capitals.

The message of this compelling book is clear: researchers must continue
the debate on how best to reconcile the various components of our
ecosystems—especially social and natural capitals— in order to
achieve sustainable development.