In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Laura and Lauren Hall speak with Seth Kaplan, an expert on fragile states, social cohesion, and community resilience. They discuss Kaplan's work, including his book 'Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time.' The conversation covers Kaplan's transition from studying international communities to focusing on American neighborhoods, the importance of strong local institutions, and practical steps for building trust and connectedness in communities. Kaplan emphasizes the need for local engagement, stewardship, and the benefits of a localized approach to creating healthier societies.
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:31 Guest Introduction: Seth Kaplan
01:26 Seth Kaplan's Journey and Work
04:03 Community Dynamics and Social Cohesion
10:20 Trust and Social Interaction
17:28 Government Decentralization and Community Empowerment
28:33 Neighborhood Design and Social Innovation
35:15 Gardening as a Metaphor for Community Growth
36:14 The Importance of Relationships in Politics
37:17 Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Politics
38:13 Historical Context: Local vs. National Focus
43:43 Revitalizing Segregated Neighborhoods
49:58 Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges
52:12 Practical Steps for Community Engagement
58:20 Optimism and Future of Local Civil Society
01:06:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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