Social trust in 2007: E Pluribus Unum — diversity and trust in America

Does this page say homogeneous countries are superior? No. Homogeneity is sometimes correlated with trust in surveys because of shared history and smaller inequality — not because mixing races erodes some biological virtue. Well-governed diverse societies can score high; poorly governed homogeneous ones can score low.

What did Putnam find about diversity? His 2007 paper reported short-term dips in "social trust" in diverse U.S. neighborhoods, sparking debate. He also argued for bridging institutions and continued immigration. Later work emphasizes segregation, inequality, and local investment — not racial essence — as drivers.

Predictable courts, low corruption, transparent media, and fair policing teach citizens that cheating has costs. When institutions fail, people retreat to kin networks — a rational response, not a racial character flaw. Not exactly. Trust is an expectation about behavior under rules. Societies can be blunt or reserved yet highly trusting if contracts and taxes reliably work.