Problem
Political scientist Robert Putnam argues that "civic engagement" in the United States has been on the decline for decades. He defines civic engagement as a person's involvement in community groups, beyond just political participation. Putnam believes this decline has significant consequences for the health of American democracy. Some scholars disagree with his conclusions and assessment. The advent of social media and the creation of online communities add an interesting component to our understanding of engagement and community.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree that people are less involved with their communities than in the past? If so, should we worry about that? Do online communities provide the same "social capital" benefits as those that are in-person and face-to-face?