Someone recently described themselves as “Putnam-pilled.”* Never had a meme resonated with me more.
I am definitely Putnam-pilled. Why? Maybe because this child of immigrants found a bit of belonging in her suburban Brownie troop. Or maybe it was the stint in student government that shook off my Gen-X Jersey mall rat malaise.
Whatever the reason, I internalized the fact that we make our neighborhoods and communities better and stronger through our relationships, networks, and contributions. Putnam’s research put evidence and language to my worldview.
But what is social capital? Twenty-six years after Bowling Alone was published, experts have yet to align on a crisp definition or measurement — hardly any two research pieces examine it the same way.
To advance the discussion, the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) is conducting a research review of the components of social capital that researchers assess and associate with beneficial outcomes for our communities. Already, some concepts are bubbling to the top as key components of social capital. For example, trust, and the sense that your neighbors are there to help if you need it.
Next year, we will release a research brief and visualization to summarize this scan, along with the validated measures and indicators most commonly used. It will also include a set of profiles of local organizations that are driving social capital in their communities.
We invite you to participate in this project. Here are a few ways to support:
- Forward this newsletter to your Putnam-pilled friends and colleagues and invite them to subscribe so they receive the research brief when it’s released.
Submit published, peer-reviewed research on social capital you think should be included in our scan, using this form by August 31, 2026
Nominate a local program or organization that is increasing social capital in their community, using this form by August 31, 2026
Decades-worth of research shows us that trust, belonging, and norms of kindness and helping lead to benefits for everyone: better health, improved safety, stronger economic development, and higher educational attainment.
To prioritize these essential aspects of our neighborhoods and towns — to properly value and invest in them — we need a clear understanding of them. Using existing research and drawing on the deep wisdom of local groups who contribute to their communities each day, we can help increase social capital across the nation.
Edna Ishayik
Senior Advisor, NCoC
*Hat-tip to Robert Griffin.
