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

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

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