The Importance of Community Engagement (Chloe H. Blog Post)

 Hey everyone, in my blog post, I wanted to dive deeper into the concept of social capital, a topic I touched upon during my presentation. Specifically, I want to emphasize why engaging in our communities is crucial, drawing insights from contemporary sources.

In “Bowling Alone,” Robert Putnam (1995) highlights the decline of social capital in the U.S., defining it as the features of social organization that foster coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. Essentially, social networks enable us to shift our focus from individual interests to collective well-being. Putnam observes a troubling decrease in social trust, impacting not just politics, but also our local communities. Volunteering, a key indicator, has seen a decline, as noted by Putnam (1995). Reflecting on my internship discussions, my supervisor stressed the positive impact of active volunteerism, making tasks smoother with more participants, and conversely, the challenges when there’s a shortage of volunteers.

Another perspective comes from Russell Dalton’s 2016 work, “The Good Citizen.” Dalton explores the evolving concept of a “good citizen” (4) in contemporary times. He introduces the idea of “engaged citizenship,” (6) where Americans feel connected to society beyond traditional norms in voting (6). The rise of the Internet has transformed organizations from formal structures to spontaneous communities (17). This shift extends to our local communities, where engaged citizens challenge the political status quo by empathy and awareness of others around them (29).

The way we see being a good citizen is changing, with more focus on engaged citizenship and less on traditional duties like voting, paying taxes, and jury service, known as “duty-based citizenship” (5). The shift is linked to the changing society we live in, influenced by factors like higher education levels and generational changes. How we define being a good citizen is evolving, and it’s less about just fulfilling certain duties and more about actively participating and engaging with the community. This change is shaped by our education and the different perspectives that each generation bring (34).

Now, let’s look at the significance of social life, building on what we’ve discussed earlier. In Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals, Oliver Burkeman sheds light on how the bumpy, unsmooth parts of life are the ones that actually help ourselves and our communities grow (52). Burkeman emphasizes that by fostering relationships, we not only boost our mental and physical well-being but also contribute to the resilience of our communities. Connecting with others not only makes us stronger individually but also plays a vital role in making our communities more robust and able to overcome challenges. So, being socially engaged isn’t just good for us; it’s a key ingredient in building a resilient and thriving community (52).

In essence, these sources highlight the significance of active community engagement, not only for personal well-being but also for the broader social and political landscape. As we navigate the complexities of modern society, being involved in our communities becomes a powerful tool to build social capital and address the challenges we face together.

   

 FOOD          FOR          THOUGHT 

1.     How do you think the decline in social trust, as mentioned in “Bowling Alone,” might affect local communities? Can you share any personal experiences in relation to this point?

2.    In “The Good Citizen” Russell Dalton talks about the shift from “duty-based citizenship” (5) to “engaged citizenship” (6). How has this change affected the way you perceive being a good citizen in today’s society?

3.    Oliver Burkeman highlights the importance of “unsmooth textures of life” (52) in promoting individual and collective growth. How do you interpret this idea and can you share examples in your own life where facing challenges has contributed to personal or community resilience?

                                                        Bibliography

Burkeman, Oliver. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Picador, 2023. 

Dalton, Russell J. The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation Is Reshaping American Politics. CQ Press, an Imprint of SAGE Publications, Inc., 2021. 

Putnam, Robert D. “Bowling Alone: America’s declining social capital.” Journal of Democracy, vol. 6, no. 1, Jan. 1995, pp. 65–78, https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1995.0002.