Arkansans distrust of the value of working together on community causes — what social scientist Robert Putnam would term a social capital deficit — created significant roadblocks to the full flourishing of that progressive tradition. Locales with higher levels of social capital (evidenced by civic engagement, norms of social trust and work in voluntary associations) are more likely to be more thoroughly progressive in public policy outcomes. The combination of traditionalism and anarchism that provided the cultural basis for Arkansass political development were a one-two cultural punch against the development of a healthy civic culture. In a recent analysis, Arkansas is ranked 39th in civic culture (i.e. social capital) among the states. No matter the final outcome of the battle over the transmission line, the Save the Ozarks movement is proof of the power of grassroots organizing as a force in shaping policy outcomes. The odds have been stacked against the activists from the beginning, but sustained collective action is creating a fair fight with a powerful interest. Theres an important lesson to be learned here as Arkansas politics moves forward.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:46:47 +0000