Taking a critical look at the existing conceptions of social development, the paper focuses on the sociological conceptualization and finds it inadequate on account of its partial premise and domineering Marxist bias. Alternatively, it advances a wider, deeper and liberal sociological formulation as enhancement of harmonious social bonds and liberal social values. The core proposition that it offers is: If economic development is about the expansion of economic capital, human development is about the enhancement of human capital, then social development is about the expansion of social capital comprising social harmony, justice, liberalism and larger good.
Social development, Social capital, Social justice, Liberalism, Social harmony