Acton Line

Today’s episode is a rebroadcast that originally aired in March of 2019, but holds incredible relevance to conversations we’re still having today.This conversation with Tim Carney, editor at the Washington Examiner and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, explores the subject matter of his 2019 book, “Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse."To the extent that the "American Dream" is fading away in parts of the country, the problem isn't pure economics.Nor is it a case of stubborn old white men falling behind because they refuse embrace progress.Carney argues that the root cause of our problems – crumbling families, despair, and political dysfunction – is the erosion of community and local, civil institutions, most especially church.The result of a secularizing country is a plague of alienation for the working class, as people struggle to build families and improve their lives without the support structure they need.Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse - Tim CarneyVideo: Tim Carney On The Threat To Liberty From Big BusinessMore churches, more flourishing: The secret to success in middle America - Joseph SundeLyman Stone on the decline of religiosity in the United States - Acton LineSubscribe to Acton Institute Events podcast

It’s been a challenging year.A global pandemic, violent unrest in the streets of major American cities, and a divisive presidential election have all challenged us in different ways, testing the strength of civil society and institutions at both the local and national levelThroughout the year, Acton’s president and co-founder, Rev. Robert Sirico, has offered commentary on these events as they unfolded.Now, at the end of the year, Rev. Sirico reflects on the year as it comes to a close, to see how we handled the unique trials we encountered in our public life in 2020, and how the principles articulated by the Acton Institute guided us through these trying times and will continue to provide a mechanism for gaining understanding and perspective on our world in 2021.Rev. Robert Sirico's COVID-19 commentariesRev. Robert Sirico on the Grand Rapids riots

Social capital – the capacity of people to cooperate towards common aims – is an indispensable element of a free and prosperous society yet many studies demonstrate that it has been steadily eroded in recent decades.Social pathologies such as the breakdown of the family, addiction, and deaths of despair are strongly correlated with weakening social ties and norms. The decline in social capital has had devastating real world consequences.In this episode, Acton’s Dan Hugger talks with Maryann and Barry Keating, authors of thenew bookRebuilding Social Capital, about the idea of social capital, its erosion, how economics and Catholic Social Teaching help to clarify the concept, and what their new research suggests is the path forward to rebuilding social capital.Rebuilding Social Capital at Acton Book Shop - Maryann & Barry KeatingExcerpt from Rebuilding Social Capital - Maryann & Barry KeatingCentesimus annusGaudiumet SpesMater et Magistra‘Values of Americans: A Study of Ethics and Character, Harris Interactive Report Produces by Boy Scouts of America Youth and Family Research Center’‘4-H Experiences Contributing to Leadership and Personal Development of 4-H Alumni’‘From Mutual Aid to Welfare State: How Fraternal Societies Fought Poverty and Taught Character’