This paper is an exploration of the social capital needs of industrial development. 'œSocial capital' attracts considerable attention in socio-political analysis and we are beginning to see its application to development economics. There has not, as far as I know, been any attempt to apply it to the determinants of successful industrialisation in the developing world. This essay is a preliminary sketch of the concepts rather than a report on research findings or a complete analysis with specific policy recommendations. Nevertheless, it illustrates the value and significance of bringing social capital concepts to bear on specific aspects of development