Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth Kaplan

Show Notes:

Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth Kaplan

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' we talk with Seth Kaplan, an expert on fragile states, social cohesion, and community resilience. We 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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