Explaining the Principles of Social Difference Management From the Viewpoint of the Quran and its Role in Social Capital Management

Social divergence is an obstacle to managing the generation and regeneration of social capital, because social divergence spoils the context of interaction and connection, prevents the quantitative and qualitative maximization of those interactions, and brings about social capital corrosion. As a result, social capital management depends on the management of elements and components that aggravate social divergence. Social divergence has its bases on the non-management of social differences such as national and ethnic differences, different mental beliefs and values, economic differences, etc. This study was an effort to examine the role of national and ethnic differences in social capital management using an analytical-descriptive method. In particular, this study set out to answer the question “What are the Quranic principles of managing the national and ethical differences that lead to the enhancement of social capital?” In order to answer this question, first a discussion of the divine traditions in the management of the human social system in general and the traditions about the national/ethical differences in particular are presented. Then, the strategic principles suggested by the Quran to manage these differences in order to prevent social divergence are put forth. These principles were formulated in the light of the cognitive and communicative components of social capital. To this end, the principle of the representation of the similar human quiddity as the cognitive component of social capital, the principle of “ta’aaruf” as a positive approach, and the principle of “social piety” as the negative approach to management of the communication of various nations and ethnicities were identified.