The Importance of Social Capital to Achieve Sustainable Development.

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to analyze the importance of social capital to achieve sustainable development in a rural area. In this article three forest communitarian enterprises are analyzed as an example of the way in which social capital was used to get benefits for the whole community. First the main characteristics of Oaxaca, México are reviewed in order to understand the context in which the three forest enterprises are located. Secondly the article presents elements such as the bonds of trust, the social nets within the communities, the government involvement as well as the advice and support of international organizations that contributed to turn these three enterprises in a single organization. Finally the most important benefits that have been achieved in these communities are described showing that it is possible to have sustainable development if the community is able to take advantage of social capital.