Is Robert Putnam Right About Civic America?
“Is Robert D. Putnam Correct About Civic America?”
By: Patricia Hulverson
Political Science 221
What is the source of the decline in social capitalism? According to Robert D. Putnam in “The Strange Disappearance of Civic America,” it is television. Putnam defines social capitalism as “networks, norms, and trust that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives.” (Putnam1) He explored many posssible reasons for the decline including mobility, lack of time, women entering the workforce, marital values, increased welfare, the civil rights revolution, and generation gaps. Astonishingly, in every possibility there was a counter as to why it was not the cause. In fact, during his research Putnam found coutertrends as well as one complicating trend. There are professionals who agree and professionals who disagree with Robert D. Putnam. One thing is for sure, social capitalism continues to decline so are we to assume that this is still due to the over-exposure to television? The first step to exploring the options is to explore the individual making the accusations. Robert D. Putnam graduated with honors and a bachelor of arts degree form Swarthmore in 1963. From there he went to study at Balliol College and then to Yale for graduate studies. In 1965 Putnam earned a master’s and in 1970 a doctorate. After a brief time teaching political science at the University of Michigan, he settled in at Harvard. His career there includes being department chair for government and the dean of the school of government. Putnam then followed up as the professor of public policy and teaching courses in American Politics, international relations, and comparative politics. In addition to all of his studies, Putnam is the writer of the well-known books “The Beliefs of Politicians” and “Bowling Alone” and has been involved in various research studies. The first book “established him as a major figure in his discipline.” (Smith 1) Currently, Robert D.
By: Patricia Hulverson
Political Science 221
What is the source of the decline in social capitalism? According to Robert D. Putnam in “The Strange Disappearance of Civic America,” it is television. Putnam defines social capitalism as “networks, norms, and trust that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives.” (Putnam1) He explored many posssible reasons for the decline including mobility, lack of time, women entering the workforce, marital values, increased welfare, the civil rights revolution, and generation gaps. Astonishingly, in every possibility there was a counter as to why it was not the cause. In fact, during his research Putnam found coutertrends as well as one complicating trend. There are professionals who agree and professionals who disagree with Robert D. Putnam. One thing is for sure, social capitalism continues to decline so are we to assume that this is still due to the over-exposure to television? The first step to exploring the options is to explore the individual making the accusations. Robert D. Putnam graduated with honors and a bachelor of arts degree form Swarthmore in 1963. From there he went to study at Balliol College and then to Yale for graduate studies. In 1965 Putnam earned a master’s and in 1970 a doctorate. After a brief time teaching political science at the University of Michigan, he settled in at Harvard. His career there includes being department chair for government and the dean of the school of government. Putnam then followed up as the professor of public policy and teaching courses in American Politics, international relations, and comparative politics. In addition to all of his studies, Putnam is the writer of the well-known books “The Beliefs of Politicians” and “Bowling Alone” and has been involved in various research studies. The first book “established him as a major figure in his discipline.” (Smith 1) Currently, Robert D.