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Oxford University Press, USA

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

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

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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.


Author: Robert D. Putnam
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 03/26/2004
Pages: 528
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.70lbs
Size: 9.00h x 5.90w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780195171600

About the Author

Robert D. Putnam is Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University. He is the founder of the Saguaro Seminar on Civic Engagement and author of the best-selling Bowling Alone.

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