| Political social clubs are unique institutions that were once essential to the cultivation of the American political elite. The social capital that is gleaned from these secretive and exclusive membership organizations is particularly powerful in Washington, D.C. due to the composition of their membership. These particular clubs produce a uniquely elevated form of social capital that can affect not only the individual and group, but society as a whole through public policy initiatives that stem from these relationships. While, such institutions were once critical to building the early political elite, their importance in building social capital in the 21st Century has been greatly diminished. With a shift in the Washington political elite structure, the growing use of technology for social networking purposes, a change in campaign finance and ethics laws that restricted traditional lobbying practices, and the general lack of interest from the next generation of D.C. political insiders, the relevance of the District's political social clubs is being tested. |
