Putnam traces these differences back to the Middle Ages, suggesting that centuries of history have locked these regions into either a virtuous or vicious cycle of civic behavior. Critical Perspective
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 traces these differences back to the Middle
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. the book has faced notable criticism:
While hailed for its rigorous empirical approach and innovative use of "large-N" (statistical) and "small-N" (case study) methods, the book has faced notable criticism: