Democracies in Flux : The Evolution of Social Capital in Contemporary Society

In his national bestseller Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam illuminated the decline of social capital in the US. Now, in Democracies in Flux, Putnam brings together a group of leading scholars who broaden his findings as they examine the state of social capital in eight advanced democracies around the world. The book is packed with many intriguing revelations. The contributors note, for instance, that waning participation in unions, churches, and political parties seems to be virtually universal, a troubling discovery as these forms of social capital are especially important for empowering less educated, less affluent portions of the population. Indeed, in general, the researchers found more social grouping among the affluent than among the working classes and they find evidence of a younger generation that is singularly uninterested in politics, distrustful both of politicians and of others, cynical about public affairs, and less inclined to participate in enduring social organizations. On the bright side, social capital appears as strong as ever in Sweden, where 40% of the adult population participate in "study circles"--small groups who meet weekly for educational discussions. Offering a panoramic look at social capital around the world, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of these phenomena. In his national bestseller Bowling Alone, Robert D. Putnam illuminated the decline of social capital in the U.S., revealing how over the last quarter century we have tended to join fewer clubs, know our neighbors less, meet less frequently with friends, and even socialize less often with our families. Now, in Democracies in Flux, Putnam brings together a group of leading scholars who broaden his findings as they examine the state of social capital in eight advanced democracies around the world.The book is packed with intriguing revelations about common trends in the countries studied. The contributors note, for instance, that waning participation in unions, churches, and political parties seems to be virtually universal, a troubling discovery as these forms of social capital are especially important for empowering less educated, less affluent portions of the population. Indeed, in general, the researchers found more social grouping among the affluent than among the working classes and also found evidence of a younger generation that is singularly uninterested in politics, distrustful both of politicians and of others, cynical about public affairs, and less inclined to participate in enduring social organizations. On the bright side, social capital appears as strong as ever in Sweden, where 40% of the adult population participate in "study circles" -- small groups who meet weekly for educational discussions.Social capital -- good will, fellowship, sympathy, and social intercourse -- is vitally important both for the health of our communities and for our own physical and psychological well-being. Offering a panoramic look at social capital around the world, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of these phenomena. It will interest anyone concerned with promoting civil society and vibrant social discourse.

In his national bestseller Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam illuminated the decline of social capital in the US. Now, in Democracies in Flux, Putnam brings together a group of leading scholars who broaden his findings as they examine the state of social capital in eight advanced democracies around the world.
The book is packed with many intriguing revelations. The contributors note, for instance, that waning participation in unions, churches, and political parties seems to be virtually universal, a troubling discovery as these forms of social capital are especially important for empowering less educated, less affluent portions of the population. Indeed, in general, the researchers found more social grouping among the affluent than among the working classes and they find evidence of a younger generation that is singularly uninterested in politics, distrustful both of politicians and of others, cynical about public affairs, and less inclined to participate in enduring social organizations. Yet social capital appears as strong as ever in Sweden, where 40% of the adult population participate in "study circles"—small groups who meet weekly for educational discussions.

Social capital—good will, fellowship, sympathy, and social intercourse—is vitally important both for the health of our communities and for our own physical and psychological well being. Offering a panoramic look at social capital around the world, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of these phenomena and why they are important in today's world.

"The book is packed with intriguing revelations about common trends in the countries studied. The contributors note, for instance, that waning participation in unions, churches, and political parties seems to be virtually universal, a troubling discovery as these forms of social capital are especially important for empowering less educated, less affluent portions of the population. Indeed, in general, the researchers found more social grouping among the affluent than among the working classes and also found evidence of a younger generation that is singularly uninterested in politics, distrustful both of politicians and of others, cynical about public affairs, and less inclined to participate in enduring social organizations. On the bright side, social capital appears as strong as ever in Sweden, where 40% of the adult population participate in "study circles"--Small groups who meet weekly for educational discussions." "Social capital - good will, fellowship, sympathy, and social intercourse - is vitally important both for the health of our communities and for our own physical and psychological well-being. Offering a panoramic look at social capital around the world, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of these phenomena. It will interest anyone concerned with promoting civil society and vibrant social discourse."--Jacket CONTENTS......Page 6 INTRODUCTION......Page 10 1 GREAT BRITAIN......Page 28 2 UNITED STATES......Page 66 3 UNITED STATES......Page 110 4 FRANCE......Page 144 5 A DECLINE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL?......Page 196 6 FROM CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL SOCIETY......Page 252 7 SWEDEN......Page 296 8 AUSTRALIA......Page 340 9 BROADENING THE BASIS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN JAPAN......Page 366 CONCLUSION......Page 400 NOTES......Page 424 CONTRIBUTORS......Page 500 A......Page 504 C......Page 505 D......Page 507 E......Page 508 F......Page 509 G......Page 510 I......Page 511 L......Page 512 M......Page 513 N......Page 514 P......Page 515 S......Page 517 T......Page 520 V......Page 521 W......Page 522 Z......Page 523 ## Abstract This book examines the changes in social capital in eight advanced democracies: Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. It considers both qualitative and quantitative evidence covering the period from the end of World War II to the end of the 20th century. Despite the lack of a single verdict, this volume offers a diversity of perspectives and insights from a collection of creative scholars. One of the most striking findings to come from social science in recent years reports an apparent erosion within the United States, normally the most civic of nations, in the propensity of individuals to engage in community affairs, to trust one another, and to associate together on a regular basis. In Democracies in Flux, Putnam and nine world renowned scholars investigate the condition of social capital in eight advanced democratic nations