The hottest Social Cohesion Substack posts right now

People often confuse visible disorder—like graffiti, litter, fare-jumping, and public urination—with a rise in serious crime, so cities can feel unsafe even when violent crime is low.
Social cohesion depends on rewarding cooperators and punishing defectors; when public norms are openly flouted it demoralizes others and encourages more rule-breaking.
Worries about immigrants often reflect fears they won’t adopt local norms, so promoting assimilation and consistent enforcement of consensus norms is presented as a way to reduce public disorder and restore trust.

Capitalism concentrates power in workplaces where workers lack democratic control and are paid less than the full value of their labor.
That system fuels hyper‑individualism which erodes social solidarity, turning people into competitors and undermining collective actions like public health measures and social safety nets.
Democratic workplaces and strong social programs can rebuild mutual care and solidarity, aligning individual wellbeing with the common good.

There's a push to help kids understand and appreciate American traditions and ideals in schools. This focuses on uniting various backgrounds and fostering a sense of belonging.
Many young people today feel less positive about America and democracy compared to older generations. Schools are encouraged to improve how they teach what it means to be American.
The project aims to strengthen institutions as a way to counter radical changes in society. It emphasizes the need for balance and constructive dialogue in teaching about America.

Liberalism is in a deep crisis that isn’t driven by material scarcity but by widespread social disconnection and elite cynicism that leave democratic institutions vulnerable.
Economic plenty has made the need for collective meaning and shared purpose more urgent, because freedom and prosperity alone don’t give most people the social bonds they need.
Narrow policy fixes won’t be enough; society likely needs broad cultural and community renewal—maybe even spiritual or civic movements—that rebuild shared purpose without sliding into authoritarian or theocratic alternatives.

The tsetse fly has had a huge impact on Africa's history by harming cattle and limiting agricultural development. This meant less farming and a weaker economy for many regions.
Without cattle, societies couldn't use plows, which hurt their ability to farm efficiently. This led to fewer roads and central governments.
If the tsetse fly didn't exist, Africa might have developed more centralized states and lower rates of slavery, resulting in a stronger economy and bigger population over time.

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Extreme individualism and symbolic politics have eroded social bonds and public institutions, encouraging short‑term ego gratification over collective responsibility.
Political elites have become a conformist, self‑protecting 'Party' that polices belief, refuses to persuade or address ordinary people's concerns, and so hollow out politics until outsiders and protest movements gain ground.
As legitimacy and state capacity decline, governments risk being unable to contain mass unrest, leaving power vacuums that criminal groups, religious extremists, or hard‑right actors can fill and produce localized anarchy and instability.

Rich people are investing in fancy bunkers to prepare for disasters. These bunkers have more features than some luxury hotels, like swimming pools and gyms.
Despite the high costs and cool gadgets, the social aspect is important for survival. People need to feel connected, even when hiding from danger.
There's a growing market for doomsday prepping, and some wealthy individuals are even flipping old government bunkers for their own use, turning survival into a luxury trend.

States are losing power, and people are looking for new groups or identities to connect with. This means loyalty might shift from the nation-state to other forms of community and personal connections.
With the rise of technology and the internet, individuals can now create and spread information themselves, changing how we communicate and come together. This new way could challenge governments and traditional authorities.
People are moving away from the idea of absolute loyalty to one nation and are searching for shared purpose and community. In the future, we might form groups based on interests or beliefs instead of just nationality.

Listening to podcasts can feel like having dinner with interesting people and learning about current trends in technology and social cohesion.
The podcast playlist provided includes shows that explore emerging technologies, trust in technology, tech policy, and more.
Engaging with podcasts about technology and social cohesion can help understand the evolving field's dilemmas and future perspectives.