Restoring American Communities

1. In Robert Putnam's "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community," he discusses a decline in social interaction in the 20th century. He talks about how engagement has declined in various organizations, religious services, club meetings and other communities. How can a person's education predict his/her level of involvement in civil life?

2. Putnam uses the term "social capital" to describe connections we build with one another that benefit our own interests. How can social capital be both a private good and a public good?

3. One form of social capital is official membership in volunteer organizations. According to Putnam, there are three main types of volunteer organizations in American society: (1) Community-based organizations, (2) church-based organizations and (3) work-based organizations. Which of these types of organizations do you get most involved with? 

4. Some national organizations contain a board of directors who meet to make decisions without the consent of the members. Other organizations have local chapters where members can actually meet one another. Which of these structures creates more social capital? 

 5. Putnam gives a few examples of informal social connections in his book and characterizes two different types of people: Machers and Schmoozers. Machers are people who make things happen in the community and are all around "good citizens." They follow current trends, follow politics and work on community projects. Schmoozers are people who spend time in informal conversation and communion. They tend to host dinner parties, play cards and throw barbecues. Are you a Macher or a schmoozer? What characterizes you as such? 

6. Self-help groups (i.e. A.A., Weight Watchers, etc.) have grown in recent years. What are people finding from these groups that they aren't finding elsewhere? How are these groups similar to online chat forums or apps such as My Secret App, Tell My Secret or Whisper? 

7. The author argues that media dependency is the "single most consistent predictor" for civil disengagement. Do you think this is the case? Why or why not?

8. Some statistics from the book demonstrate that over time, although social engagement has decreased, tolerance has increased: 

• In 1956, 50% of white Americans thought blacks and whites should go to separate schools
• In 1995, 4% had the same feelings
• In 1973, 45% of Americans thought library books that advocated homosexuality should be banned
• In 1999, 26% had the same feelings

As social capital connects us to people like ourselves in communities, are we shutting the doors to equality, liberty and tolerance? How can we expand our social capital to include networks with a variety of people from various backgrounds and with different beliefs? What is the value of doing so?