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The problem of citizen apathy impacts both students and the larger culture. Putnam (2000, 2004) argues that this occurrence is associated with a decline of social capital which he defines as the structures of social composition such as networks, standards, and trust that make possible coordination and teamwork for mutual value. He utilized considerable statistical evidence of the attitudes and activities of individuals in the United States, discovering that involvement in civic associations, involvement in local affairs, churches, schools and unions, time being with family, friends and neighbors, charitable donating, and belief have decreased. Putnam reasons that active citizenship is connected to social capital and continual engagement which includes lower levels of truancy and a reduced feeling of apathy. This philosophy assumes that being involved will enhance societal trust and value in citizenship which involves participating in our representative democracy. That is why social responsibility is weakening due to a decline of social capital.
A possible change is considered by Putnam and Feldstein (2004) by creating optimistic results of leadership and engagement in the environment of social capital. The authors discuss the procedures of building social capital with developing relationships by bringing individuals together and linking the enhancement of networks across diverse populations. They have twelve case studies indicating the establishment of new social capital in our society. One of these case studies involves “Experience Corps” which brings together older citizens who volunteer fifteen hours a week tutoring kids, offering support, and building the community in urban Philadelphia schools. The specifics of the program supply a learning experience in structural advancement in this particular environment, including the foundational importance of commitment, the forming of sincere relationships amongst the volunteers, students, and the school. Putnam and Feldstein believe that what is being done in these case studies is vital to the effective construction of social capital.
The increase of social capital based on the characteristics from these case studies can be incorporated by faculty in higher education. Putnam contends that student growth is impacted by social capital and constant exposure has been linked to positive effects including lower levels of absenteeism and a reduced feeling of apathy. There is a relationship between students and faculty that is very personalized includes involvement and a direct interaction within a course. The growth of political apathy and the decline of social capital among college-level students has been an increasing concern to educators, policy makers and scholars (Flanagan and Levine 2010; Levine 2007; Noack and Jugert 2014). A number of methods for involving citizens and making their expressions valued have been advanced. These include focus groups (Stewart and Shamdasani 2014; O'hEocha and Conboy 2012; Morrison, 2003); citizen juries (Street et al., 2014; Niemeyer and Blamey 2003); citizen panels (Amelung, 2012; Boogaard, Oosting, and Bock 2008), and divising seminars (Susskind and Rumore 2015).