Symbolic capital
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In sociology and anthropology, symbolic capital can be referred to as the resources available to an individual on the basis of honor, prestige or recognition, and functions as an authoritative embodiment of cultural value. A war hero, for example, may have symbolic capital in the context of running for political office.
This concept was coined by Pierre Bourdieu, and is expanded in his book Distinction. It is an extension of Max Weber's analysis of status.[1]
Symbolic capital may be embedded in the built environment or urban form of a city as the portion of its exchange value which can be attributed to its symbolic content. For example, landmarks usually have symbolic value & utility. They become landmarks because they have symbolic value.
Footnotes
- ^ Calhoun, Craig (ed) Dictionary of the Social Sciences (Article: Symbolic Capital), Oxford University Press, 2002
See also
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