Section 1: Chapter 1, Thinking About Social Change in America Summary and Analysis

In Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert Putnam discusses the decline of social engagement during the twentieth century. Using data from a wide variety of sources, he shows that social capital and engagement have declined in areas such as organizational membership, attending religious services, attending club meetings, and interacting with others face-to-face in communities. He posits several explanations for this decline, and argues that generational succession accounts for about half of the overall change. He also examines what the deficit in social capital is doing to individuals, communities, and America. Finally, he discusses how America could reverse the trend and start revitalizing social capital.

The Glenn Valley Bridge Club in Pennsylvania doesn't meet any longer, even though it still had forty members playing...