Bowling AloneOnce we bowled in leagues, usually after work -- but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolizes a significant social change that Robert Putnam has identified in this brilliant volume, Bowling Alone, which The Economist hailed as "a prodigious achievement." Drawing on vast new data that reveal Americans' changing behavior, Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures -- whether they be PTA, church, or political parties -- have disintegrated. Until the publication of this groundbreaking work, no one had so deftly diagnosed the harm that these broken bonds have wreaked on our physical and civic health, nor had anyone exalted their fundamental power in creating a society that is happy, healthy, and safe. Like defining works from the past, such as The Lonely Crowd and The Affluent Society, and like the works of C. Wright Mills and Betty Friedan, Putnam's Bowling Alone has identified a central crisis at the heart of our society and suggests what we can do. |
From inside the book
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... community in America was to witness the effect it had on the lives of lay
readers—both in America and far beyond. For many years after Bowling Alone hit
the shelves, I received countless calls, emails, and letters from individuals,
community ...
... community in America was to witness the effect it had on the lives of lay
readers—both in America and far beyond. For many years after Bowling Alone hit
the shelves, I received countless calls, emails, and letters from individuals,
community ...
Page
By analogy with notions of physical capital and human capital—tools and training
that enhance individual productivity—the core idea of social capital theory is that
social networks have value. Just as a screwdriver (physical capital) or a college ...
By analogy with notions of physical capital and human capital—tools and training
that enhance individual productivity—the core idea of social capital theory is that
social networks have value. Just as a screwdriver (physical capital) or a college ...
Page
The individual is helpless socially, if left to himself. ... The community as a whole
will benefit by the coöperation of all its parts, while the individual will find in his
associations the advantages of the help, the sympathy, and the fellowship of his ...
The individual is helpless socially, if left to himself. ... The community as a whole
will benefit by the coöperation of all its parts, while the individual will find in his
associations the advantages of the help, the sympathy, and the fellowship of his ...
Page
connections accrue to the person making the contact.15 As we shall see later in
this book, a well-connected individual in a poorly connected society is not as
productive as a well-connected individual in a well-connected society. And even
a ...
connections accrue to the person making the contact.15 As we shall see later in
this book, a well-connected individual in a poorly connected society is not as
productive as a well-connected individual in a well-connected society. And even
a ...
Page
... from the mass of his fellows and withdraw into the circle of family and friends;
with this little society formed to his taste, he gladly leaves the greater society to
look after itself.”23 Our national myths often exaggerate the role of individual
heroes.
... from the mass of his fellows and withdraw into the circle of family and friends;
with this little society formed to his taste, he gladly leaves the greater society to
look after itself.”23 Our national myths often exaggerate the role of individual
heroes.
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - jonerthon - LibraryThingProbably the last of the older titles that has been on my reading list too long. Though it is dated in some ways, I was glad to finally get through this one and understand why so many planners have ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - ddonahue - LibraryThingThe present withdrawal of the individual from social organizations now resembles the situation after WW I as depicted in Chapter IX of Eckstein's Rites of Spring, in which he describes veteran's eschewal of social commitments. Read full review
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activities adults American analysis archive associations attendance average become behavior Bowling century chapter church cities citizens civic engagement club compared connections correlated DDB Needham decades decline Democracy economic effects equality especially evidence example fact factors figure forms four fraction friends giving groups growth half important income increase individual institutions interest Internet involvement John Journal least less levels lives measures meetings membership movement nearly Needham Life Style neighborhood networks organizations parents participation percent period political population question recent religious reported Research response Review rise Robert Roper roughly share shows single Social and Political social capital society Statistics suggests surveys television Trends trust turn twentieth century United University Press Urban viewing virtually volunteering watching women World York
Bibliographic information
| Title | Bowling Alone |
| Author | Robert D. Putnam |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0743219031, 9780743219037 |
| Length | 544 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Social History History / United States / 20th Century Political Science / Public Policy / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |