Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all those that have engaged with and contributed to this volume.

I would especially like to thank Professor Laura Spence and her colleagues at Royal Holloway, the University of London, for their constructive criticisms and unflagging support during the writing of this book.

I would also like to thank Professor Keith Dickson of Brunel University who offered me much needed encouragement and perceptive advice.

In addition, I am grateful for the constructive advice offered by Professor Simon Robinson and Dr William Sun.

This book was also made possible by the understanding nature of my wife Rachel, who was prepared to put up with my musing on social capital, and by my children Alexandra and Paul who inspired me to conduct this research. I am also indebted to my mother Mary and to Joseph, Anthony, Marie and Clare who offered me much needed words of encouragement to complete this research.