Class #8: Social Capital
Discussion Questions for Class on Sept.
21, 2009
Related Readings: Putnam, Robert D. "Bowling Alone: Democracy in America at Century's End", and Jo Anne Schneider, "Small nonprofits and civil society"
These writing assignments are meant to help you think about the readings and to prepare you for class discussions. For that reason, when you write a response it is important that you give your opinions and that you relate your thoughts to the reading. Remember that these are exam questions and that they are graded as such. You ought to write them as though you are writing questions on a midterm or a final exam.
Respond to one of the following questions by writing a response on the class Discussion Board on Blackboard at least one hour before class on the date the question is listed. Put your name in the text of the question and give the question number as listed below. Without these I can't tell who wrote the question or what you are responding to. You then have until Midnight on the following Sunday of that week to revise your response if you wish to do so and to submit it for grading. To submit your responses, send them via email to milofsky@bucknell.edu.
Your final version of this question is due by midnight, Sunday, September 27.
8-1. Putnam tells us that the decline in bowling leagues is important because it indicates how "social capital" has declined in American life. What is social capital and why do we care if it has declined?
8-2. What is the linkage between social capital and civic engagement? Why is Putnam's analysis limited according to Schneider?
8-3. What are the differences between closed social capital, linking social capital, and bridging social capital? Why is their availability related to the power structure of society and what happens when different varieties of social capital are absent?
8-4. Putnam's article talks about the decline of a certain kind of community life and he thinks that is important because it relates to democratic decision making and the extent to which people in our society are interconnected and committed to making society work. Think now about Chapter Three in Hunter and Milofsky, where we talk about rationales for helping. Putnam's concerns have different degrees of relevance for the three kinds of helping. Explain why Putnam's approach has different significance for humanitarianism, utilitarianism, and entitlements.
8-5 How is culture related to social capital? Is it a benefit or an impediment to effective use of social capital in civic engagement?