Better together

The examples on the facing page represent America at its best: a nation of helpers, j o i n e r s , and good citizens bent on building community in a big, d i v e r s e , modern nation. N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g its reputation as a land of rugged individualists and cutthroat c a p i t a l i s t s , America throughout its history has been ex c e p t i o n a l l y civic-minded by any standard. We are a nation rich in “ s o c i a l c a p i t a l ,” which we define as “social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them.”i A m e r i c a n s have a remarkable proclivity to reach out to one another, to lend a hand to others in need, and to organize groups to advance the c o m m o n w e a l t h .