Social Capital as a Factor of Network Structures' Conflict Interaction

The article examines social capital as a basic phenomenon that determines the specifics of network structures' interaction. Social capital is a resource that has a direct impact on the quality of the network, its functioning and development. A set of values and norms lies in its basis. Network structures are unstable and constantly changing. These factors have a direct impact on the specifics of conflicts. Identifying the structural, relational, cognitive, and axiological dimensions of social capital is a necessary condition for clarifying the functioning of network foundation and the mechanisms of interaction between actors. The article focuses on weak and strong connections between network elements in structural dimension. The degree of influence on an actor on the development of a conflict situation depends on its centrality, the number of existing connections with other elements that are based on social capital. The relational dimension focuses on the level of trust between network elements, which determines the direction towards conflict resolution. Social capital is considered from the perspective of the presence of a common worldview, an unambiguous interpretation of logical and conceptual structures by all elements of the network in the framework of the cognitive dimension. It becomes especially important when it is necessary to make a decision in a situation of social system destabilization because of conflict. Social capital is studied from the perspective of value-based and normative attitudes of actors in the axiological dimension. Its commonality contributes to the formation of mutual understanding between network elements. Network structures are carriers of symbolic power. They are able to constitute new social communities, attract new elements to their composition. Networks often act as regulators of processes taking place in society. Network structures increase the flexibility of social institutions in the event of a conflict situation where they perform a stabilizing function.

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