Paths toward sociability: the idea of social relays as a mechanism that activates new social networks

Abstract

This paper presents a discussion about the mechanisms of recruitment of participants in social movements and NGOs, adopting the concept of social relays. These mechanisms are located in institutions forming social networks that activate the process of recruitment. We believe that there is a direct relationship between the process of mobilization of resources and the density of social capital. This density translates objectively into a more functional social network design. The localization of an actor in the social structure and density of social capital is considered to be a function of the design of the social networks where the actors are located according to the existence of social relays. These relays produce new networks, and through these mechanisms, networks of networks are created. Key-words: social network, relays, associativism.