Bowling Alone:
America’s Declining Social Capital
Public sector, Private sector & Civil Society sector
Civic Associations
NGOs, CBOs
– challenge and support public sector
Social Capital – Investment yields more
Social Networks, Norms of reciprocity,
Social Bonds (“I” in “WE”) Trust
Trends
General Social Survey, Monitoring the Future
Declines:
Voting, Membership in mainstream institutions,
Bowling in Leagues
Neighborliness and family stability
Countertrends:
Tertiary Organizations (not face to face)
Non-profits and support groups
Technology, leisure
Technology and civic engagement
Next steps
Organizational features that generate
social capital
Promise of telecommunications
Public policy that encourages or
discourages civil association