Social capital and investment in agriculture: three networks converge with implications for Australia’s rural research system

Abstract

This paper considers how the social proximity of research and finance systems has changed since the industrial revolution. It describes social capital accumulation around agriculture in global networks focused on trade, aid and the environment before assessing how the trajectories of these networks are likely to impact Australia's rural research system.  Better alignment of existing repositories of social capital will be required if Australia is to retain a leading position in international agricultural research.