PPD 225 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: General Social Survey, Bowling Alone, Social Capital
3 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Social capital - features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit can influence the success or failure of civic engagement and social connectedness in a society. Americans" direct engagement in politics and government has fallen over the last generation, despite education levels rising. Distrust in the government has also accordingly risen - from 30% in 1966 to 75% in 1992. General social survey shows decline in membership in all church-related groups over past 20 years. Mass membership organizations have grown rapidly since 1970s. Most members, only act consists of writing a check for dues. Countertrends - tertiary associations, non profits, support groups, grown in contrast to erosion of conventional civic organizations. Women in labor force - decrease in ability for women to participate in civic engagement. Demographic: more divorces, fewer children - less stability leads to less engagement. Encourage adults to socialize more, join groups, volunteer.
