The Erosion of Social Capital

"Is technology driving a wedge between our individual interests and our collective interests?" —Robert Putnam

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction: American exceptionalism
2:08 Declining civic engagement in the twentieth century
3:22 The theory of social capital
5:02 Reasons for the decline
7:03 Conclusion: Technology erodes social capital

References:
- Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America
- Robert Putnam: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community
- Robert Putnam: Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital

Image: Early Sunday Morning by Edward Hopper