Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

book by Putnam

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July 16, 2026

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Robert D. Putnam's book, "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community", explores the decline of social capital in the United States. Social capital refers to the benefits derived from social networks, characterized by trust and participation. Putnam observed a significant decrease in civic engagement since the 1960s, leading to widespread mistrust in democratic institutions and impacting public health, safety, and productivity. The book argues that this erosion of community ties weakens society and potentially democracy itself. Putnam's work highlights the importance of interconnectedness and mutual obligation for societal well-being.123

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communitarianism
The common good versus individual rights
…with contemporary social-scientific data in Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000), by the American political scientist Robert Putnam.
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…with contemporary social-scientific data in Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000), by the American political scientist Robert Putnam.
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political science
Political culture
In Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000), Putnam claimed that the American tendency to form citizen groups, a characteristic that Tocqueville praised, was weakening. Americans were less often joining groups and participating in politics, Putnam argued, leading to a loss of “social…
Read More
In Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000), Putnam claimed that the American tendency to form citizen groups, a characteristic that Tocqueville praised, was weakening. Americans were less often joining groups and participating in politics, Putnam argued, leading to a loss of “social…
Read More