Last year, an American sociologist took breakfast with Tony Blair at Downing Street. Press comment depicted him as the 'guru' behind British and American plans to promote a role for religious groups in providing social welfare. What's
it all about?
Robert Putnam is a Harvard Professor whose books 'Making Democracy Work' and 'Bowling Alone' argue that successful societies are rich in 'social capital' - which means a readiness on the part of most citizens to co-operate in each other's best interests. Without social capital, people act in their own immediate self-interest - which usually means a 'beggar-my-neighbour' response to other people's needs. With social capital, most people operate on the 'do unto others' principle.
