Ep.55 Seth Kapan on Fragile Neighborhoods — Relationships and Place-Based Solutions to Social and Material Poverty
Feb 1, 2024
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In this episode, Seth Kaplan discusses his book on fragile neighborhoods in the US, emphasizing the broken relationships contributing to social and material poverty. He explores the impact of poverty on lifespan and the decline of trust, social and political problems in recent generations. The podcast also delves into the consequences of family breakdown, the problem of individualism in democratic life, the decline of mutual aid societies, and the importance of intact families in reducing poverty rates.
Strengthening relationships within neighborhoods can be key to repairing American society and improving individual well-being.
Addressing relationship poverty is critical for individual and societal success, regardless of material wealth.
Supporting strong marriages and stable families is essential for societal well-being and requires comprehensive efforts from communities and churches.
Deep dives
The importance of strong relationships for societal well-being
The podcast episode discusses the significance of relationships for the overall well-being of societies. The guest, Seth Kaplan, a leading expert on fragile states, emphasizes that relationships are crucial for understanding the health and success of a country. He argues that relationships form the foundation of a society, impacting its politics, economy, and overall social dynamics. Kaplan's research highlights the decline in social connections and trust in the United States, leading to social and political issues such as social breakdown, declining health, and increased depression. He suggests that focusing on strengthening relationships at a local level, particularly within neighborhoods, can be key to repairing American society and improving individual well-being.
The impact of relationship poverty on human flourishing
Another key point in the podcast episode focuses on the concept of relationship poverty and its impact on individual and societal flourishing. Kaplan explains that relationship poverty refers to the lack of strong and supportive social connections. He emphasizes that relationship poverty can affect individuals regardless of their material wealth and highlights the importance of both bonding and bridging social capital. Kaplan presents examples of how relationships in thriving neighborhoods can positively impact well-being and provide support in times of need. He also highlights the decline in stable homes and the importance of intact families for preventing social breakdown, especially for children. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of addressing relationship poverty for individual and societal success.
Promoting strong families and communities for a flourishing society
The podcast episode explores the role of families and communities in creating a flourishing society. It highlights the work of JP DeGanse, who recognized the importance of strong marriages and stable families for societal well-being. DeGanse founded Camunio, an organization that collaborates with churches to provide tools and training to support marriage and family relationships. The episode emphasizes the need for churches and communities to devote resources to marriage ministries and the value of connecting families with needed support systems. It also emphasizes the significance of comprehensive efforts in addressing societal challenges, from after-school programs to mental health initiatives, to promote holistic well-being and social flourishing.
The impact of moving from structures to networks on women's success
The speaker agrees that women excel in networks while men excel in structures. As society has shifted from structures to networks, women have shown significant success compared to men. This shift contributes to women outperforming men in various areas. The importance of having a sense of agency, ownership, and leadership roles in local areas is highlighted as a key factor for women's motivation and success. The speaker argues that making neighborhoods and neighborhood institutions matter is crucial in reversing the despair and lack of motivation many men experience in America.
The role of individualism, technology, and government in societal well-being
The podcast explores the impact of individualism, technology, and government on societal well-being. It discusses Alexis de Tocqueville's concern about individualism leading to centralization, and how technology and government policies have influenced social interactions and community engagement. The professionalization of non-profit organizations and the focus on individual services rather than community support have hindered the development of strong neighborhoods. The podcast stresses the need for a sideways approach that focuses on relationships, community involvement, subsidiarity, and vibrant religious and cultural institutions in order to rejuvenate communities and restore a sense of belonging and social support.
In this episode of the Moral Imagination Podcast I speak with Seth Kaplan about his book Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time. Seth has spent his career working in fragile states around the world — countries that are unstable and prone to violence, war, and political problems. About 10 years ago Seth was increasingly asked if the US was becoming fragile. As he turned his attention to studying the United States, he concluded was that while the US is not fragile as a country, there are many areas and neighborhoods throughout the country that are very fragile — where poverty rates are high, there is crime, and instability, and social capital, family stability, and economic and educational opportunities are low. Seth explains that depending on the neighborhood where you live in the United States it can mean a shorter lifespan of over 20 years. Kaplan speaks about two faces of poverty, material and social, and how they are both a problem of broken relationships. He argues:
“I think the real question you have to ask about the United States we have many things going very well in our country but something has gotten worse in the last couple of generations: the politics, the trust, the social breakdown, the deaths of despair, the health crisis the depression, and the rise of suicides. The big question that we have to ask ourselves is what has changed in our relationships that lead us to have so many social and political problems?”
Themes and Topics we discuss include:
Family Stability
Social Capital
Bonding vs. Bridging Social Capital
Relationships and Community
The role of religion and religious practice in communities
Associationalism vs. Individualism vs. Collectivism
Biography
Seth D. Kaplan is a leading expert on fragile states. He is a Professorial Lecturer in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), and consultant to multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and OECD as well as developing country governments and NGOs.
Communio — Communio is a nonprofit that trains and equips churches to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family.
