Book SummaryBowling Alone, by Robert D. Putnam

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Bowling Alone

Historians and economists have long been concerned with the flow of capital—both in terms of money and investments, as well as physical resources such as land, materials, goods, and human labor that keep society running. However, there’s a third form of capital that’s not so easily measured, but is equally vital to holding communities and nations together. Researchers have dubbed this social capital—the inherent worth of interpersonal bonds, relationships, and networks. Social capital benefits everyone on the individual and community level by weaving us into a rich tapestry of mutual trust, support, and communication.

From an economic standpoint, social capital is much more abstract than physical resources and money, which we can measure directly. For research purposes, sociologists determine the value of social capital indirectly—by measuring factors such as voter turnout, the attendance records of social organizations, and time people spend on community projects, to name a few examples. By correlating these with other indicators, such as income levels and graduation rates, scientists can measure the impact of social capital—the internal connectivity of a community—on society’s well-being as a whole.

(Shortform note: The definition of social capital used in this guide applies to whole communities, but people also use “social capital” as a general term for the value of your personal networks, including the family ties, social circles, and professional connections you might use to advance your career, find a good mechanic, or simply move furniture to your new apartment. When you change jobs or find a new place to live, it can be said that part of starting over is replenishing your supply of individual social capital by making new friends and workplace connections.)

But there’s a problem. After peaking in the middle of the 20th century, collective social capital...

Bowling Alone Summary Why Is Social Capital Important?

Putnam emphasizes the vital role of social capital in American life and the negative consequences of its decline. Speaking broadly, social capital enables collective action, promotes economic growth, and opens people’s eyes to cultural diversity. In the first section of this guide, we’ll look at the forms social capital takes, how it works to hold society together, and its effects on collective and individual well-being.

(Shortform note: When a community’s social capital is low, “the tragedy of the commons” can occur. In Rationality, Steven Pinker defines this as a group dynamic in which each individual’s incentive is to use as many resources as they can and contribute as little back as possible. Pinker says the most effective solution to this problem is to remove individual choice through regulation. However—as we’ll see—Putnam might suggest that increasing a community’s social capital can defuse this cycle by motivating people to act for the good of the...

Bowling Alone Summary The Great Decline

As alluded to already, Putnam’s major thesis is that not only is social capital vital to society, but that America’s supply of it has been steadily decreasing for decades. Putnam charts the arc of social connectivity in the US during the 20th century while examining the places where we come together and how those institutions have fared through the cultural shifts of the last 100 years.

(Shortform note: Though Putnam’s data focuses exclusively on the US, the downward trend in social capital during this period appears to be global, with two notable exceptions: Japan and the Scandinavian countries. In Japan, social capital has remained steady thanks to a growth in civic associations and increased social participation from women in their 30s and men in their 40s. In Scandinavia, there’s much trust in government and societal institutions, though whether this promotes social capital,...

Bowling Alone Summary What’s Killing Social Capital?

Beyond confirming that the US’s social cohesion is on the wane, Putnam’s research has another purpose—namely, to identify the cause. Due to the complexity and the pervasive nature of the issue, Putnam identifies a number of factors that contribute to declining social capital. As we’ll explore in the following sections, the unravelling of America’s civic unity results from a combination of modern worklife and suburban sprawl, the spread of mass media entertainment, and differences between generations.

Before diving into what’s causing public disengagement, there’s one excuse that Putnam rejects—namely, that people today are too busy. On the contrary, Putnam’s data shows that the people who are the busiest are also the most active in community groups. While full-time jobs do subtract from how much time you can spend in group events or social clubs, work balances this loss with other forms of connection, such as participation in professional associations and taking part in business activities that promote community growth. The tradeoff between work and private life isn’t equally balanced, but Putnam attributes no more than a fraction of our social decline to being too busy at...

Bowling Alone Summary What Can We Do?

No matter how strongly some people might wish it, the US can’t return to the structures of the past. Instead, Putnam advocates a new wave of community-building efforts, creating new social structures for the 21st century that will restore and replenish our social capital in ways that acknowledge and make use of the progress we’ve made since the end of World War II. Putnam doesn’t presume to offer definitive solutions to our loss of social connection, but he suggests what sectors of society will have to be involved in addressing the problem.

(Shortform note: While Putnam keeps his focus firmly on the US, it may be that future social challenges and solutions will take place on a larger scale. In 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Yuval Noah Harari argues that all humans are part of a global civilization that has connected the world economically, socially, and technologically. Therefore, Harari rejects nationalistic solutions to global problems such as the threat of war, environmental...

Shortform Exercise: Has Social Capital Declined in Your Lifetime?

Putnam proposes that, at least in the US, collective social capital peaked in the 1950s and has dropped steadily since then. Think about whether your personal experience reflects this observation.

When you were young, were you and your family involved in any organized social groups, whether as part of a church, a school, or your community in general? If so, what were they and how often did you participate?

Shortform Exercise: How Might You Rebuild Social Capital?

Putnam suggests that declining social capital is a trend that won’t reverse itself on its own. On an individual level, consider any steps you might take to replenish social capital within the scope of your daily life.

Are there any volunteer groups, hobbyist clubs, or professional organizations that you’d consider joining? If you already participate in such a group, is there a way you could become more active?