Robert D. Putnam's Bowling Alone

Jocelle Elvambuena
2/5/2017
GSC 300 – 1006
Essay #1

Civic engagement comes in many forms and is highly influential in making a difference in our communities. In Bowling Alone, Robert D. Putnam explains how the tides of civic engagement have turned in the last third of the century. Putnam segments civic engagement into the realms of political participation, voluntary associations, religious participation, and work-based groups. The common theme amongst all these realms is the general decline in participation. Putnam describes other noteworthy trends such as the influence of generational changes, the role of technology, and the relationship between individual versus group activities. The trends outlined in each realm is significant

in understanding and explaining the overall decline in civic engagement.
Putnam (2000) notes that political participation has experienced a general decline since the 1960s.

There are less people voting now than prior generations. Putnam states, “[T]he decline in voting turnout... is due to the replacement of an older generation that was relatively interested in public affairs by a younger generation that is relatively uninterested” (2000, p. 36). This is reflective of intercohort change as the younger generations’ disinterest in public affairs continues to worsen. Technology has also played a role in the decline of political participation. Parties have the tools for mass marketing, so there is no longer a need for door to door campaigning. Why campaign door to door when one can reach millions with a single robocall? Lastly, individual and group political participation has declined since the 1960s. Putnam notes that individual participation such as voting is declining at a much slower rate than group participation such as joining political organizations, many of which deserve the name “tertiary associations” (2000, p. 52). This tertiary organizational structure aims to strengthen numbers but leads to a lack of social capital for its members as there is no requirement to socialize with one

another.
Another realm of civic engagement lies in voluntary associations. Since the 1960s, voluntary associations have grown in number but have ultimately experienced a decline in participation. Writing a check for dues is the only requirement to be a member in many of these tertiary-structured organizations. There has also been a decrease in member participation as we move to present-day. Putnam (2000) notes that this active participation trend is reflective of a generational change. Technology is another theme that plays a role in the decline of participation within voluntary associations. E-mail and social media have given people the ability to exchange ideas across the Web as opposed to in person. Voluntary associations are also declining in terms of individual and group participation. Organizations have become less member-centered and locally based as they try to have a bigger influence politically, so many organizations are purposely located near Washington D.C. (2000, p. 51).
Religious participation has also experienced a decline in the last few decades.

Since the 1960s, each generation has been less and less involved with religious activities. Within the last few decades, there has been a decline in church membership and attendance (2000, p. 70-71). Thus, Putnam (2000) makes a point that intercohort change is relative to the decline in religious participation. Technology also aids the decline in religious activity by providing sermons, prayers, and information about other religions online. Putnam notes that privatized religion has allowed people to pick and choose the elements of religion that works for them. In effect, individual and group participation have declined. Privatized religion along with advancements in technology have greatly reduced group participation as more people can pray and practice their own religion in the comfort of their own

home.
Another notable realm of civic engagement are work-based groups. There has been a general decline in participation within work-based groups. Union membership is declining while an individualistic culture emerges. Individualism has increased in the last few decades and has affected membership as people being to think of themselves (2000, p. 82). Putnam (2000) describes this as an intercohort evolution. Technology has played a role in the decline of work-based groups by allowing individuals to work from home. Interaction amongst coworkers becomes almost nonexistent. Individual and group participation in work-based groups are also declining. There is less loyalty to employers, and more people have begun to ask themselves the question, “Are you going to be working here in the next 10 years?” Structural changes in employment such as shorter job tenure, more part-time jobs, and company downsizing has also played a role in the overall decline of work-based group participation (2000, p. 87-88).
Civic engagement is declining in the realms of political participation, voluntary associations, religious participation, and work-based groups. As each decade passes, America’s social capital lessens. It is essential that society learns to work together to renew its social connectedness and civic engagement for the common good.

References
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.