Sarah Wong

defined as “connections among individuals—social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them.”

My favorite colloquial definition of solidarity is “to carry each other’s burdens”; this definition alludes to how solidarity is both a physical act and a spiritual act.

Three major explanations have emerged for the decline in local civic engagement in the US in recent decades: eroding social capital, the nationalization of American life, and the decline of local newspapers. Social capital—the relationships and trust that promote civic engagement—has decayed as modern life has become more individualized and less... See more

The answer, instead, is to do the very opposite of professionalization and technocratization. It is to, as the infinitely quotable Pete Davis recently explained, “promote public participation in governance and civic life” and “do the long-haul work of blurring the line between insiders and outsiders.”

While technology can increase the quantity and efficiency of our connections, the relationships and social institutions we depend on so much for our well-being are rooted firmly in physical places.

‘Deliberation’ is long and careful discussion crafted towards making a decision. Deliberative processes emphasise the importance of reflection and informed discussion in decision-making. This allows people to adopt more nuanced positions on the issues at hand, with a better understanding of the trade-offs inherent in a given decision.

For... See more

Here are the four key principles Lofland identifies as enabling smooth interaction (or non-interaction) among strangers in public spaces:

1. Civil Inattention

• Definition : The practice of acknowledging the presence of others while deliberately avoiding sustained attention or intrusion.


• Example : Making brief eye contact with someone walking past

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