By Brandon Fey, News Editor
The Eisenhower Institute (EI) concluded its fourth annual “Democracy Week” programming with a film screening of Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Join or Die: A Film About Why You Should Join a Club.” This was held in the Mara Auditorium on Friday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.
Director of the Eisenhower Institute Tracie Potts delivering opening remarks about the value of civic participation. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
Director of the Eisenhower Institute Tracie Potts delivered some opening remarks about the value of civic participation and encouraged those in attendance to take advantage of the many opportunities offered to students on campus to get involved.
The film focused on the decline of civic engagement in the United States and its consequences for democratic participation. It followed the work of political scientist Robert D. Putnam, which he had contended in his 2000 book “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.”
It argued that interpersonal networks create social capital, which leads societies that operate with a “generalized reciprocity” that makes them more trusting, honest and efficient. The film declared that “social capital makes democracy work.”
The film also discussed the importance of religious participation, as it unites communities, fosters leadership skills, promotes social mobility and represents the majority of volunteer work in the country.
It attributed the general decline in social participation to distractions like home television, coupled with burdensome working realities. The film asserted, however, that civic engagement can be restored and cited examples of social capital developing across various communities in the country.
EI offered refreshments for those who attended.
