14 The Selective Collapse of American Community
American exceptionalism and civic life are seen as declining in Fishtown. In the 1950s, Edward Banfield studied a southern Italian town called Montegrano, which operated on amoral familism. This concept focuses on maximizing the short-term benefits for the nuclear family while ignoring community needs, resulting in a lack of altruism and cooperation. In contrast, Banfield compared Montegrano to St. George, Utah, which had a vibrant civic life with many community activities and organizations, showing the importance of community engagement for a functioning society.
American Community and American Exceptionalism
American community life is distinct because of two main features: neighborliness and active civic engagement. Neighborliness means that people living near each other often help one another without being related, which is something you can find all across the United States. This close support can happen in both small towns and urban neighborhoods, where residents frequently interact and assist each other.
The second important feature is civic engagement, where people come together to solve local problems through voluntary associations. Rather than waiting for the government to take care of issues, Americans tend to form groups for various purposes, such as helping others, building schools, or organizing community events. These organizations have historically included a wide range of activities, from religious groups to charities.
In addition, there were many secular fraternal organizations that involved people from different social classes. These groups helped create connections between individuals from various backgrounds, allowing them to work together on common interests or goals. Together, these aspects of neighborliness and civic engagement illustrate how American community life is special compared to other cultures.
Social Capital and Class
Social capital in America, which refers to the connections and engagement within communities, has been declining significantly according to research by Robert Putnam. This decline has been seen in various activities related to community involvement. For example, voter turnout in presidential elections dropped by 22% from 1960 to 1996. Other indicators like attending public meetings, being a member of clubs, and spending time with family at dinner also showed large decreases.
Despite this overall decline, there are some places where social capital is still strong, particularly in affluent areas referred to as "Latte Towns." These towns, like Burlington, Vermont, have active civic life with people frequently engaging in local events, attending city council meetings, and participating in community activities together. Residents there prefer spending time in shared public spaces instead of being isolated at home. In these affluent communities, social connections and participation in local affairs remain vibrant.
On the other hand, the situation is much worse in areas like Fishtown, particularly within the new lower class. By the 1970s, a much larger percentage of people in Fishtown were socially disengaged compared to wealthier areas—63% compared to 35%. This disengagement increased over the years, reaching 75% by 2004. Factors contributing to this decline include lower marriage rates and decreased religious participation, both of which negatively impact community involvement.
Voting patterns highlight these differences as well. In Fishtown, voter turnout has consistently been lower than in Belmont, even as far back as 1968. By the early 2000s, turnout in Fishtown remained low, while Belmont maintained high participation rates.
The rise of the Internet has created new ways for people to connect, which can either compete with traditional community involvement or enhance it. Wealthier individuals use online resources more effectively to form social connections, while those in lower-income areas have less access to these opportunities. Overall, the patterns in social capital show a stark divide between different social classes, highlighting a general trend of disengagement in lower-income communities while some upper-class areas continue to thrive.
Collapse of the Possibility of Community
The decline of social trust is a major concern for communities, particularly in areas like Fishtown. Social trust is the belief that people generally act fairly and considerately, which is crucial for building strong communities. When social trust weakens, overall social capital—like community bonding and cooperation—also declines. Surveys since the 1970s reveal alarming trends: fewer people in Fishtown believe others can be trusted, dropping from around half to only 20 percent over several decades. In contrast, trust levels in Belmont have remained relatively stable, although they too have seen some decline.
Belmont residents still largely believe in the fairness of others, while in Fishtown, that confidence has diminished significantly. This distrust can be attributed to living in environments perceived as unsafe, where crime rates may be higher, leading people to be more cautious and untrusting. In Fishtown, most people feel that others are selfish rather than helpful.
Another problem complicating social trust is ethnic diversity, which, according to research, can erode the social capital of a community. Increased diversity often leads to lower trust levels, reduced community engagement, and a diminished sense of belonging. While there is hope that future generations may overcome these issues, the current state of social trust in communities like Fishtown raises serious concerns about their ability to rebuild and thrive.
The Consequences of Collapsed Social Capital
High social capital can have both benefits and drawbacks. While strong community ties can enhance support and improve daily life, they may also lead to pressure to conform and lack of privacy. Critics argue that neighborly help can be less effective than government assistance, as it may come with moral judgment. Additionally, weak social capital results in greater vulnerability to crime and a lower quality of life. People in areas with weak social capital typically experience less satisfaction and happiness compared to those in communities with strong social connections.
American exceptionalism and civic life are seen as declining in Fishtown. In the 1950s, Edward Banfield studied a southern Italian town called Montegrano, which operated on amoral familism. This concept focuses on maximizing the short-term benefits for the nuclear family while ignoring community needs, resulting in a lack of altruism and cooperation. In contrast, Banfield compared Montegrano to St. George, Utah, which had a vibrant civic life with many community activities and organizations, showing the importance of community engagement for a functioning society.
American Community and American Exceptionalism
American community life is distinct because of two main features: neighborliness and active civic engagement. Neighborliness means that people living near each other often help one another without being related, which is something you can find all across the United States. This close support can happen in both small towns and urban neighborhoods, where residents frequently interact and assist each other.
The second important feature is civic engagement, where people come together to solve local problems through voluntary associations. Rather than waiting for the government to take care of issues, Americans tend to form groups for various purposes, such as helping others, building schools, or organizing community events. These organizations have historically included a wide range of activities, from religious groups to charities.
In addition, there were many secular fraternal organizations that involved people from different social classes. These groups helped create connections between individuals from various backgrounds, allowing them to work together on common interests or goals. Together, these aspects of neighborliness and civic engagement illustrate how American community life is special compared to other cultures.
Social Capital and Class
Social capital in America, which refers to the connections and engagement within communities, has been declining significantly according to research by Robert Putnam. This decline has been seen in various activities related to community involvement. For example, voter turnout in presidential elections dropped by 22% from 1960 to 1996. Other indicators like attending public meetings, being a member of clubs, and spending time with family at dinner also showed large decreases.
Despite this overall decline, there are some places where social capital is still strong, particularly in affluent areas referred to as "Latte Towns." These towns, like Burlington, Vermont, have active civic life with people frequently engaging in local events, attending city council meetings, and participating in community activities together. Residents there prefer spending time in shared public spaces instead of being isolated at home. In these affluent communities, social connections and participation in local affairs remain vibrant.
On the other hand, the situation is much worse in areas like Fishtown, particularly within the new lower class. By the 1970s, a much larger percentage of people in Fishtown were socially disengaged compared to wealthier areas—63% compared to 35%. This disengagement increased over the years, reaching 75% by 2004. Factors contributing to this decline include lower marriage rates and decreased religious participation, both of which negatively impact community involvement.
Voting patterns highlight these differences as well. In Fishtown, voter turnout has consistently been lower than in Belmont, even as far back as 1968. By the early 2000s, turnout in Fishtown remained low, while Belmont maintained high participation rates.
The rise of the Internet has created new ways for people to connect, which can either compete with traditional community involvement or enhance it. Wealthier individuals use online resources more effectively to form social connections, while those in lower-income areas have less access to these opportunities. Overall, the patterns in social capital show a stark divide between different social classes, highlighting a general trend of disengagement in lower-income communities while some upper-class areas continue to thrive.
Collapse of the Possibility of Community
The decline of social trust is a major concern for communities, particularly in areas like Fishtown. Social trust is the belief that people generally act fairly and considerately, which is crucial for building strong communities. When social trust weakens, overall social capital—like community bonding and cooperation—also declines. Surveys since the 1970s reveal alarming trends: fewer people in Fishtown believe others can be trusted, dropping from around half to only 20 percent over several decades. In contrast, trust levels in Belmont have remained relatively stable, although they too have seen some decline.
Belmont residents still largely believe in the fairness of others, while in Fishtown, that confidence has diminished significantly. This distrust can be attributed to living in environments perceived as unsafe, where crime rates may be higher, leading people to be more cautious and untrusting. In Fishtown, most people feel that others are selfish rather than helpful.
Another problem complicating social trust is ethnic diversity, which, according to research, can erode the social capital of a community. Increased diversity often leads to lower trust levels, reduced community engagement, and a diminished sense of belonging. While there is hope that future generations may overcome these issues, the current state of social trust in communities like Fishtown raises serious concerns about their ability to rebuild and thrive.
The Consequences of Collapsed Social Capital
High social capital can have both benefits and drawbacks. While strong community ties can enhance support and improve daily life, they may also lead to pressure to conform and lack of privacy. Critics argue that neighborly help can be less effective than government assistance, as it may come with moral judgment. Additionally, weak social capital results in greater vulnerability to crime and a lower quality of life. People in areas with weak social capital typically experience less satisfaction and happiness compared to those in communities with strong social connections.