Making Democracy Work : Civic Traditions In Mod... Apr 2026

Putnam argues that the success of democratic institutions is not determined solely by economic wealth or formal rules, but by —the networks, norms, and trust that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit.

He highlights a sharp contrast between Northern and Southern Italy. Making democracy work : civic traditions in mod...

Historically characterized by vertical, hierarchical structures (such as feudalism and the Mafia). These systems discourage general trust, resulting in less efficient and often corrupt regional governments. Putnam argues that the success of democratic institutions

Boasts a "civic community" rich in horizontal associations like sports clubs, bird-watching groups, and choral societies. This high level of civic engagement fosters trust and leads to effective, responsive government. These systems discourage general trust, resulting in less

Robert Putnam’s (1993) is widely considered a landmark study in political science and sociology. It explores why some democratic governments flourish while others struggle, using Italy’s 1970 regional government experiment as a case study. Core Argument: The Power of Social Capital