Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

American political scientist Robert Putnam wasn’t the first person to recognize that social capital – the relationships between people that allow communities to function well – is the grease that oils the wheels of society. But by publishing Bowling Alone, he moved the debate from one primarily concerned with family and individual relationships to one that studied the social capital generated by people’s engagement with civic life.

Key Insights from Putnam's Work:

• Fresh Perspective on Evidence: Putnam drew heavily on the critical thinking skill of interpretation, taking fresh looks at the meaning of evidence that other scholars had made too many assumptions about.
• Scrupulous Analysis: He was meticulous in clarifying what his evidence truly revealed.

Findings on Social Capital:

• Strong social capital has the power to:
  • Boost health
  • Lower unemployment
  • Improve life in major ways
• Any decrease in civic engagement could create serious consequences for society.

Putnam’s interpretation of these issues led him to the understanding that if America is to thrive, its citizens must connect.