Principles for Building Social Capital Through Politics and Government

Reforming politics and government to rebuild civic America should follow three general
principles. Each of these principles recognizes that democratic institutions can either bolster or
weaken civil society. Which way the balance tips depends in large part on how closely the
principles are followed.
Principle 1: View Government and Civil Society as Complements. There has been a lively debate
over the past two decades about the proper roles of politics and government, on the one hand, and
voluntary action (“civil society”), on the other. Often these two have been portrayed as locked in
a zero-sum game: As one gets bigger, the other gets smaller. We believe it is erroneous to see
politics/government and civil society as pure substitutes for each other, or to see public action as a
choice between these two venues. Politics, the collective deliberation over how to allocate
resources for the public good, may rely on social capital, but social networks and groups lack the
authority that is sometimes necessary to achieve publicly desirable ends. Likewise, social capital
and government are complementary. Social-capital-rich communities may accomplish more than
can social-capital-poor communities, but there are certain functions (law enforcement, for
example) that only government should fulfill. Government and civil society must take advantage
of their respective comparative advantages and find synergy wherever possible.
Principle 2: Do No Harm. Just as doctors are obliged by the Hippocratic oath to “do no harm” so
government agencies, to the fullest extent possible, should aspire to avoid actions that hurt
neighborhood networks, community norms, and voluntary organizations. The City of Indianapolis
is guided by such a pledge. Before devising or acting on policy proposals, city officials are asked
to consider: Does the policy help citizens to know more neighbors? Does the policy strengthen
family ties? Does the policy help people know more people unlike themselves? Does the policy
strengthen institutions that promote family and community bonds?
Principle 3: Foster Greater Democratic Deliberation. Especially in light of technological
changes that allow political communication and civic activities to take place without face-to-face
contact, we are concerned that Americans are at risk of losing their ability to deliberate together,
to compromise, and to reach consensus. Any efforts to reform government or politics to enhance
trust and citizen participation must themselves be guided by, and emphasize, deliberative
democracy.