Tocqueville noted in Democracy in America that "Americans’ propensity for civic association" was a factor that enabled democracy to operate successfully. He further noted that people formed a broad range of organizations, focusing on commercial, industrial, religious, moral, and other matters. Researchers have found in studies that communities with extensive networks of active social organizations such as the above are more successful in solving problems in areas such as education, unemployment, urban poverty, crime, and drug abuse. Social interconnectivity plays a substantial role in communities and makes people focus on common goals. A 20-year study of subnational governments in various regions of Italy by Harvard Professor Robert D. Putnam found that "the quality of governance was determined by longstanding traditions of civic engagement (or its absence)." The study observed that voter turnout, newspaper readership, and membership in social organizations were indicators of a successful region. Social capital provides for a better quality of life in a community. When these networks form in communities, the level of trust and reciprocity among the citizens increases and opportunism is decreased (Putnam).

Civil engagement has been declining at an alarming rate recently. Political participation trends provide evidence for this. Voter turnout has declined by over a quarter since the early 1960’s, and the United States now ranks near the bottom among all industrialized nations in voter turnout (Lewis; Putnam). Other social institutions have experienced declining participation as well. A poll conducted ten times a year since 1973 by the Roper Organization has found that over the past twenty years, the number of people who had participated in a town meeting or school meeting has dropped by one third. The number of people who had attended a political rally, served on a committee, or worked for a political party has decreased even more. These statistics are also reflected by specific groups (Putnam). Membership in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), which provides an opportunity for social engagement, has dropped from over 12 million in 1965 to five million in 1982 ("Prosperous"). The League of Women Voters (LWV) has experienced a 42 percent drop in membership since 1969. The Red Cross has experienced a 61 percent drop in volunteerism since 1970, while 26 percent fewer people volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America (Putnam).

All this evidence points to one clear trend: Less participation in social organizations and institutions has been the result of increasing radical individualism. Economist Juliet Schorr has observed from all this evidence that our society is less connected with one another outside of the marketplace in comparison with previous generations and is thus less able to cooperate to accomplish shared aims ("Prosperous"). One specific scenario cited by Professor Putnam reinforces this conclusion. Between 1980 and 1993, the total number of bowlers in the United States has increased by ten percent, but the number of league bowlers has decreased by 40 percent. This example seems insignificant until it is noted that 80 million people bowled in 1993, a third more than voted in the 1994 congressional elections (Putnam). This ever-increasing radical individualism and decreasing citizen participation threatens to render us unable to accomplish tasks necessary for the continued betterment of our nation.

To ameliorate the conditions attributed to radical individualism, Americans need to focus on building a communitarian movement. The founder of this movement, Amitai Etzioni, stressed the importance of involvement in community organizations and renewing the sense of civic obligation. Americans must work together to solve the problems that confront the nation. The National Service Program, for example, was founded for the purpose of teaching young people the value of community through the performance of public service. Increased community involvement is also likely to lead to increased political involvement by a broader spectrum of the nation’s citizens (Hudson 303-304). Breaking down the barriers of radical individualism by increasing the sense of community among Americans is the only way for the nation to solve the problems it will encounter in the future and continue to evolve.

A More Perfect Union was created by ThinkQuest Team 26466: Eric Barr, Taylor Rankin, and John Baird.
This website is a ThinkQuest entry focusing on the various facets of American democracy.
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