Cultures Of Achievement Are Essential To Democratic Society

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at Harvard University, blames the alienation of the individual from society on the decline of group-oriented social activities. Not only does he see these as key to building better communities, he claims that they are essential to the American Republic. His book, Bowling Alone, has been considered the most important work on society in America in the 1990's. In an interview about his book, Putnam described why he considered a competitive sport such as bowling to be such a crucial element in society. Writing in 1994, Putnam notes that although bowling alone, which is non-competitive, is up by 10% since 1980, the existence of competitive bowling leagues was down by 40%.
First, when you participate in a bowling league, interacting regularly with the same people week after week, you learn and practice what de Tocqueville called "habits of the heart." You learn the personal virtues and skills that are the prerequisites for a democracy. Listening, for example. Taking notes. ...

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that had allowed people to engage in group social activities. The increased variety of Christian sects made church activities a less unifying aspect of American life. Urban poverty had lead to an income gap and a jump in crime.
It was in this environment in 1891 that Dr. James Naismith introduced basketball to a group of rowdy boys in Massachusetts. Dr. Luther Gulick, head of Physical Education at the School for Christian Workers had asked Dr. Naismith to develop a game that could be played indoors, so that young men could engage in organized recreation during the cold New England winter. Since that time, basketball has provided young urban men with recourse for entertainment and ...

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