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We report the outcome of research designed to explore the dynamics of community development from the perspective of social capital. We discuss three case studies of small communities in South America. For each case we ask: How is social capital used in this instance? What other factors facilitate or impede its use, and with what kind of outcome? What makes the difference between one town that is in decline, and another under similar circumstances that thrives? In this paper we particularly focus on the role of human capital, and specific firms of leadership and active citizenship in the enactment of social capital for social and economic development. Each case involved observation of the town, interviews with key informants, and a variety of secondary source data. A thick description was developed for each.

citizenship, social capital, development