Fragile neighborhoods Repairing American society, one zip code at a time

Kaplan (Human Rights in Thick and Thin Societies), a professor of international studies at John Hopkins University, strays outside his area of expertise--"fragile states"--in this unconvincing analysis of "social poverty" in America. Defining "fragile neighborhoods" as places of "stress, mistrust, frustration, and a sense of insecurity," where people are anxious, depressed, and alienated from one another, Kaplan claims such conditions are the result of social poverty--a dearth of supportive social relations and local institutions--rather than economic poverty. He argues that fragile neighborhoods can be rich or poor, and that governmental support, good jobs, living wages, and wealth-creation opportunities are necessary but insufficient for eradicating social poverty. Kaplan highlights five initiatives he contends are adequately addressing the problem, including Partners for Education's strengthening of learning environments in eastern Kentucky and East Lake Foundation's multipronged efforts to develop mixed-income housing in Atlanta. These "social repairers," as he labels them, utilize bottom-up, collaborative, comprehensive, privately funded, and volunteer-based approaches. Kaplan's tone is hopeful, but would be more persuasive if his recommendations were not cast in such general terms, his examples considered more critically, and his argument more attentive to economic justice. This holds the most appeal for nonprofit leaders in search of motivational advice. (Oct.)

A sharp exploration of neighborhood-based, scalable responses to social ills. "The U.S. is fragile, but not as a state," writes Kaplan, whose background includes stints at the World Bank and the U.S. State Department. He continues, "the social decay we are experiencing in neighborhoods across America is unlike anything I have seen elsewhere--in even the poorest places." The author suggests that epidemic problems, from gun violence to underemployment and "drugs and despair," are inextricably linked to the decline of collective behaviors and community-focused places, a lack of "social connectedness" that may be fueling the attractiveness of authoritarianism. "I aim to provide a deeper understanding not only of social poverty in America," writes Kaplan, "but also of the approaches and strategies required to reverse and prevent it." The innovative responses required are already in use in grassroots or philanthropic responses in urban, suburban, and rural environments. The author studied five "leading-edge social repairers," from Kentucky to Detroit, and documents the dimensions of programs "to strengthen the social institutions" of areas clearly needing revitalization. Kaplan examines these case studies and relevant subtopics, including the role of surrogate family networks in Baltimore; schooling innovations in Appalachia; faith-based initiatives in Florida; and the racial aspect inherent in the abandonment of places like Detroit. The author offers a host of concrete suggestions for action, and he notes that despite the diverse examples, "the principles underlying all these efforts are strikingly similar." He emphasizes the urgency of localized neighborhood revitalization, and he concludes that "addressing the epidemic of social poverty in America may require a rethinking of the American Dream." Kaplan writes clearly and with passion, and while the narrative is light on historical background, his central thesis is important and worthy of further discussion and study. A thoughtful, useful addition to the toolkit of any progressive community activist. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.