Social Capital Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the key argument and title of Everett C Ladd paper?
The Data Just Doesn’t Show The Erosion of Social Capital In Ameirca.
From Ladd study on the civil decline argument he finds that the information was pointing in the opposite direction.
Why Does Ladd critique Putnam’s argument that “millions have withdrawn from the affairs of their communities”?
Readily available information says otherwise.
e.g. Citizen Participation study (1987) shows many areas where public political engagement has actually increased. Whilst those participating in political clubs and elections has gone, contacting government officials, working with others on comminuity needs and forming groups to help soive problems were set up
How does Ladd Critique Putnams argument that the decline in PTA membership shows a reduction in parental involvement in the education system which is a very productive form of social capital?
“where is the evidence that such involvement has diminished?”
A number of survey sources show parental involvement very high and if anything increasing.
Though PTA membership feel general parental envolvement in eduction is not decreasing.
What is the purpose of Jackman and Millers paper
Evaluates most recent studies of social capital and argues that they have strayed from the original trrament of social capital which casts it as endogenous (having an internal cause or origin)
Why does Lemman critique Bowling Alone in Comparison to Making Democracy Work?
“The talk about Bowling Alone contradict the logic of Making Democracy Work. In Putnam’s Italian model the kind of overnight derioritation fo civic virtue that he propses regarding America would be inceiavle- once civic virtue is in place it is incredibly durable over the centuries”.
Does Putnam treat group membership as a cultural variable interchangeable with trust?
Yes.
In Putnams Italian Study, levels of civic engagement as reflected in group membership are considered a powerful predictor of the performance of Italy’s regional governments.
OPutnams more recent study of US laments the deline in league bowling, treating this as part of a larger trend of civic disengagement in American society.
How do Jackman and millar critique PUtnams association between group membership and trust?
Argues is lack of theoretical explanation of why trust might facilitate group membership.
As Coleman notes the road from trust to group membership compromises a number of factors, including needs the persons have for help, the existence of other sources of aid and the degree of affluence.
What is the Key Claim of Putnam’s Making Democracy Work? What is the extent of correlation?
governmental performance depends on social capital as embodied in norms of civic community.
Reports a correlations across 20 regions of 0.92 between his measures of civic community and institutional performance, a figure that has received a great deal of attention.
What are Jackman and Miller’s criticisms of the conclusions made in Making Democracy Work?
His primary dependent variables, a composite measure of institutional performance is flawed.
Measures of made from a totoal of 33 indicators of institutional performance- Putnam does not demonstrate unidimensionality but assumes it.
Putnam’s claims implies a continiutiy of Italian regional differences that the historical record belies.
How Does Putnam measure trust in BA? And to what extent has there been a decline in social trust?
By General Social Sirbey question “Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you cant be too careful in dealing with people”
Argues level of social trust has declined by one-third
What are Jackman and Millers critique of BA
Find it odd he only focuses on one indicator for trust in BA especially since he argued for a multiple-indicator approach in his Italian Study.
Adding other indicators shows that a decline in trust does not occur.
Putnam down plays the growth in environmental memberships- Jack and Miller show that has been growth in Environmental Groups such as Sierra Club.
Putnam use of the standard question from the GSS to measure group membership is problematic as is not sensititve to changes in the types of groups individuals join.
