the greater the diversity in a community, the fewer people vote and the less they volunteer, the less they give to charity and work on community projects. In the most diverse communities, neighbors trust one another about half as much as they do in the most homogeneous settings.
In Management, we've known for some years that diverse work groups are less cohesive, find teamwork more difficult, and yet may come up with more creative solutions to problems. What Putnam has found occurring in communities, we have known for some time happens in work groups in industry.
"Social capital" is Putnam's term for the positive effects of neighborhood homogeneity:
Putnam claims the US has experienced a pronounced decline in "social capital," a term he helped popularize. Social capital refers to the social networks -- whether friendships or religious congregations or neighborhood associations -- that he says are key indicators of civic well-being. When social capital is high, says Putnam, communities are better places to live. Neighborhoods are safer; people are healthier; and more citizens vote.
Putnam has reminded us of a good reason to be serious about immigration reform and control of our borders.
