Bowling Alone author offers hope at Rotary
To the Editor,
Many of us believe that economic inequality, political polarization, and social isolation are worse now than they have ever been. On April 29, Robert D. Putnam, the acclaimed author of Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, told the Swarthmore Rotary Club that our country has faced similar problems before — specifically, 120 years ago at the end of the 19th century. His measurements of inequality, polarization, and isolation indicate that conditions were just as bad then as now, with a few wealthy people inhabiting enormous mansions while most factory workers and farmers lived in abject poverty. Labor strikes frequently led to pitched battles in which hundreds died.
After that, Putnam says, life got better. He attributes the improvement to changes in both culture and morality. Americans started to think more about what was good for society as a whole and less about what was good for themselves individually. Putnam calls this changing from an “I” culture to a “we” culture. His research shows that young activists like social worker Jane Addams, education reformer John Dewey, and investigative journalist Ida Wells led the transformation. He also credits young adults who started civic organizations (like Rotary) that increased social connections. Putnam believes that progressive politicians like Theodore Roosevelt responded to the change rather than led it.
Between 1900 and 1960, Putnam says, income equality, political cooperation, and social cohesion all gradually increased. By the 1950s, American experienced more family stability. Well-paying blue-collar jobs were common. Then, in the 1960s, this trend reversed. Putnam attributes the reversal to a reaction to assassinations of political leaders, the Vietnam War, and disruptions caused by the civil rights movement. Individuals lost faith in government and other institutions. They went back to thinking more about “I” and less about “we.” Putnam believes that politicians like Ronald Reagan followed the culture change rather than led it. Putnam does not blame the internet and social media for the state we are in, believing instead that the trend toward today’s political polarization, income inequality, and social isolation began well before the internet arrived.
Putnam has hope that our culture will begin changing back to a “we” focus. He sees signs of increased grassroots activism by young adults — citing climate activist Greta Thunberg as an example.
What can we do to help foster this change? In his book, Putnam encourages adults to join locally organized groups (such as Rotary) that promote social connection and service. He encourages young people who are trying to improve the world to work with others in their communities.
These are not quick fixes. Voting in an election once, or donating to a cause, or criticizing someone for being insufficiently progressive will not reverse the trend. It took many decades for us to reach this state, and it will take many years to turn things around.
Rich Shimko
Swarthmore
