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Bowling Alone
A review of

Bowling Alone

The Collapse and Revival of American Community

Robert D. Putnam • Touchstone • 2001

The Crucible of Connection

by David Meyer

Harvard public policy professor Robert Putnam's classic analysis of American social dysfunction details how weaker social ties undermine community, health, wealth, social progress and trust.

Seminal Study

Published in 2001, Bowling Alone remains one of academia’s and the media’s most referenced works. Harvard public policy professor Robert Putnam, Ph.D dissects the profound shift away from collective social participation that began in 1970s America. He explains why it happened, what the consequences are and how to reverse this destructive tide. Putnam’s sociology classic provides a foundational analysis of how social participation affects individual prosperity, safety, health and happiness.

Community Involvement

Putnam cites the 1950s and 1960s as the pinnacle of American civic and community involvement. Afterward, the number of bowling leagues, clubs, associations and informal gatherings dwindled as trust in politicians, neighbors and governmental institutions declined.

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