We will read and discuss The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again by Robert Putnam. Societal and political problems, such as inequality, polarization, vitriolic discourse, a fraying social fabric, and public and private narcissism, were prevalent in the late 1800's. This environment began to improve in 1901 when Theodore Roosevelt became president, and lasted through Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. With the exception of a short pause in the 1920s, America became more egalitarian, cooperative, cohesive and more altruistic. But starting in the late 1960's, attitudes began to reverse. We moved from a “We” society to an “I” society, leaving us in the current state of disarray. The book deals with how these trends first evolved and then devolved in politics, culture, economics and other societal behaviors, using the findings of numerous studies. The author ends by suggesting ways in which we can return to a balance between the individual and the community.
Gerry Lapidus has conducted OLLI book discussions for many years. The classes are informal and conversational.
