Weak bridging ties outperform strong bonding ties for advancement
Evidence
Economic sociologist Mark Granovetter has pointed out that when seeking jobs—or political allies—the “weak” ties that link me to distant acquaintances who move in different circles from mine are actually more valuable than the “strong” ties that link me to relatives and intimate friends whose sociological niche is very like my own. Bonding social capital is, as Xavier de Souza Briggs puts it, good for “getting by,” but bridging social capital is crucial for “getting ahead.” — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 49
Categorization
- XREF: Strong overlap with the Milgrom law-merchant material — reputational information flows along weak bridging structures, not dense local bonds. — connects to: Championing community inadvertently strengthens exclusionary bonding over inclusive bridging ties — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1443; Bonding-only social capital can deepen instead of heal racial division — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1291; Dyadic trust relationships let small groups succeed where large ones fail. — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 814 (+2 more)
Broader Connections
- Championing community inadvertently strengthens exclusionary bonding over inclusive bridging ties
#contradicts(0.85) — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1443 - Bonding-only social capital can deepen instead of heal racial division
#exemplifies(0.80) — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 1291 - Individualization loosens ties with the near to enable ties with the distant
#corroborates(0.78) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 603 - Dyadic trust relationships let small groups succeed where large ones fail.
#expands(0.72) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 814