America’s Declining Social Capital”

Outline Frame for “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital” by Robert D. Putman
I. Thesis: His Central Idea – The civic engagement of Americans has declined in the last few
decades. (In other words, fewer Americans are participating in political and social
organizations.)
II. Page 1: U.S. used to be considered unusually civic (relating to or benefiting citizens or the city)
A. In the 1830s, civic associations in US impressed Tocqueville, key to making democracy
work
B. Americans formed associations of many types – religious, intellectual, serious, futile, etc.
III. Page 1-3: It is important for citizens to be involved in this way because social scientists have
found that the quality of public life is influenced by these types of networks. How?
A. Successful outcomes are more likely in civically engaged communities (health, drugs,
poverty)
B. Social bonds are created within each group
C. Networks of collaboration create efficient districts of people
D. Civic engagement affects the performance of representative government
1. Examples: voter turnout, newspaper readers, choral societies, football clubs in
successful regions
2. This allows for socioeconomic modernization (advancing socially and economically)
E. Social Capital: networks, norms, social trust allow for cooperation that benefits more
people
1. Coordination and communication
2. Amplify reputations
3. Dilemmas of collective action resolved
4. Incentives for opportunism are decreased
5. Cultural template for future collaboration
6. Broadens participants sense of self
IV. Page 3-5: What happened to civic engagement?
A. Changing patterns of political participation
1. 1⁄4 decline in voter turnout by 1990
2. Decline in attendance of public meetings
3. Decline in rally, speech, committee, and political party attendance
4. Psychological disengagement of people who lacked trust in government

5. Decline in organizational memberships in general
a. Church related groups most common in America
b. Decline in church going, religion became more self-defined
6. Decline in union memberships
7. Decline in PTA membership
8. Civic and fraternal organizations like traditional women’s groups
9. Mainline civic organizations like Boy Scouts and Red Cross
10. Volunteering declined
11. Organized bowling leagues
B. There is a lack of social interaction and civic conversations
V. Page 6-7: Counterarguments
A. Have civic organizations just been replaced by vibrant new organizations?
1. New organizations have started like Sierra Club, feminist groups, the AARP.
2. No, these organizations are different because membership in them does not require
social connectedness – people may write a check but few ever attend meetings, etc.
B. Have civic organizations been replaced by nonprofit organizations?
1. Nonprofits include wide range of organizations like art museums, cancer clinics, etc.
2. No, these nonprofits are different because they do not usually involve association,
connection
C. Have civic organizations been replaced by support groups?
1. People are involved in AA, book groups, hobby clubs, etc.
2. No, these groups are different because they just give opportunities for people to focus
on themselves in the presence of others, not develop real attachments to others.
D. In fact, memberships in all types of groups have declined.
VI. Page 8-9: Lack of Social capital/connectedness in informal settings as well
A. Loosening Bonds with Family
B. Decline in associations with neighbors
C. Americans are less trusting of other people in general than they used to be.
D. It’s all connected: members of associations are more likely to be involved in politics,
socialize, have social trust, etc.

VII. Page 9-10: Why is US Social Capital Declining? Possible Reasons:
A. Women’s Movement in Labor Force so reduced time available for building social capital

B. Mobility (automobile, moving to suburbs) can disrupt root systems
C. Other Changes: fewer marriages, more divorces, fewer children, lower wages, big business
firms
D. Television can make communities shallower, entertained in isolation and according to our
interests

VIII. Page 11-12: What is to be Done? Future Directions for research:
A. Find out the dimensions of social capital – what types of networks can produce it?
B. Find out how social systems and the way they work relate to how people become less
civically and socially involved?
C. Figure out the costs and benefits of community engagement – Maybe community
engagement is not such a good thing and can lead to inefficiency and corruption?
D. Find out how public policy influences social capital – in some cases policies harm it (slum
example), but in other cases policies seem to help it (like community colleges)
IX. Democratic disarray in US may be linked to erosion of civic engagement. How can we
reverse these trends in social connectedness to restore civic engagement and trust?