The weak associational life of modern western society has been a source of consternation and study for many cultural and political observers. Lack of social capital is often held up as a reason for the sense of anomie permeating our society, for the malaise and despair that seems to persist in modern life. Is our decline of trust in institutions the consequence of the fact that we are bowling alone?
But what is social capital, and what aspects of it are especially important to maintaining a healthy society? Lyman Stone, Adjunct Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, focuses on one aspect of it, associational life, in this report, Bread and circuses: The replacement of American community life.
Examining the ways in which Americans associate together, he finds that some forms of associational life have displaced others. Down is participation in religious institutions, clubs, and community organizations, and up is participation in especially telegenic activities such as sports and politics. Numerous factors may account for this, but the most important, he writes, is that technological improvements have led to a higher standard of living.
“A wealthier society provides more benefits via the state instead of private organizations, even as the invention of radio and television displaced many traditional information networks.”
These entertainment-focused ties to social activity are less conducive to social flourishing than what they replaced. This can have dire real-life implications:
“For example, excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic has risen 20 percent more in states with fewer associations than in states with more associations, about the same pattern as observed during the 1918 influenza pandemic,” Stone writes.
