Social Capital Theory. Social capital may be defined as those resources inherent in social relations which facilitate collective action. Social capital resources include trust, norms, and networks of association representing any group which gathers consistently for a common purpose.A norm of a culture high in social capital is reciprocity, which encourages bargaining, compromise, and pluralistic politics.ocial capital resources include trust, norms, and networks of association representing any group which gathers consistently for a common purpose.