United States Senator Chris Murphy, a champion for social connection, discusses the unsettling decline in community happiness since the 1960s. He explores the monumental shift from collective engagement to rampant individualism and highlights the urgent need for revitalizing social interactions. Murphy advocates for the National Strategy for Social Connection Act to combat loneliness, emphasizing the role of ‘third places’ in fostering connections. He articulates a hopeful vision for restoring trust and community ties, urging bipartisan action to enhance social capital and well-being.
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Putnam's Childhood
Robert Putnam grew up in Port Clinton, Ohio, during the 1950s, a time of high social capital.
He fondly remembers the clubs, leagues, and casual interactions that fostered trust and community.
insights INSIGHT
The Gilded Age
Putnam discovered that social capital declined in the late 1800s, mirroring current trends.
This era, known as the Gilded Age, was marked by inequality, political division, and social isolation.
insights INSIGHT
I vs. We
Putnam analyzed digitized archives and found that "I" words outnumbered "we" words in the Gilded Age.
This suggests a focus on individualism over collective good.
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In 'Bowling Alone', Robert D. Putnam presents extensive data showing how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. He argues that this decline in social capital has significant negative impacts on physical and civic health. The book explores various factors contributing to this decline, including changes in work, family structure, suburbanization, and the influence of technology such as television and the internet. Putnam also discusses historical precedents and potential solutions for reviving civic engagement and social connections.
The Upswing
How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Shaylyn Romney Garrett
Robert Putnam
In 'The Upswing', Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett provide a comprehensive overview of more than a century of American history. They identify a significant shift from an 'I' society to a 'We' society during the early 20th century, particularly peaking in the 1960s, and then a reversal back to individualism. The book uses statistical analysis and storytelling to illustrate this 'I-We-I' curve, showing how trends in politics, economics, society, and culture have repeated over time. The authors argue that understanding this historical pattern can inspire a new generation to work towards rebuilding a more communitarian society[1][3][4].
We're distrustful, unequal and isolated. That's according to the figures showing a decline in happy community feeling since the 1960s. But can we do anything to regain the healthier communal lives enjoyed by many of our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents?
We talk to a hopeful trio - an economist, a political scientist and a US senator - about how we can reduce social isolation, temper political division and prioritize the kind of mixing and meeting that makes neighbors into friends.
Further reading:
Robert Putnam Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community and The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again.
Lord Richard Layard Can We Be Happier? Evidence and Ethics and Wellbeing: Science and Policy (co-authored by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve).
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 
