Section 3: Chapter 13, Technology and Mass Media Summary and Analysis

Technology had a huge impact on life in the twentieth century. Putnam suggests that two effects on the influx of technology may play a role in civic disenfranchisement. First, entertainment and news have become more individualized; we can now pick and choose what we want to hear and see instead of having to go with the masses. We can also consume our news and entertainment alone via the television or internet. Whereas entertainment used to bring people together, now most people have it available to them in their homes.

Reading the newspaper is one sign of civic engagement. Readers tend to be older and more rooted to the communities in which they live. Those who read are more engaged than those who watch the news on television. Readers are more likely...