Two recently popular books speak directly to the condition of mainstream American society as it turned the corner into the 21st century, and provides two useful ways for defining the unique character of the Amish subculture. Bowling Alone (2000) by Robert Putnam examines the decline of social capital in the United States. "Social capital" has become quite a popular phrase with social scientists. Social capital refers to the ways in which individuals are organized in order to achieve common ends. It is frequently overused and misused, but nonetheless, it remains a concept that helps us understand the nature and direction of the human condition. Putnam contends that the various social, economic, and cultural forces which transformed American society during the 20th century, and that will continue to influence its evolution in this new century, have incrementally reduced social capital. The result is a decline in the quality of life of both the community and the individual. He......

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Title: Amish
Approximate Word Count: 7534
Approximate Pages: 31 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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