The Concept of Social Capital in the Works of P. Bourdieu: Interpretation Issues

Abstract

This article is an attempt to indicate a place that works of P. Bourdieu occupy in the current literature on the social capital theory. The main conclusion is that attempts to integrate P. Bourdieu into the current social capital theory literature mostly initiated by American sociologists are questionable in terms of their theoretical grounds. Reasons for such a reception are analysed. Three main reasons listed are: 1) selective reading on the side other authors; 2) puzzling order of publications in English; 3) particular journals and/or edited volumes in which the works of Bourdieu were initially published in English.