Comments for ThePolity.net http://thepolity.net/wordpress Toward more sustainable ways of connecting citizens and government Tue, 04 May 2010 12:37:53 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Justin Westerman http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Justin Westerman Tue, 04 May 2010 12:37:53 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-76 As a student of Dr. Ball's class and a future researcher on the outcomes of this forum, I found it to be most intriguing. Previously, I had never attended a function such as this. This forum allowed me to experience firsthand how deliberation works within a community. I found it interesting just how diverse the ideas were concerning Amendment 4's Hometown Democracy issue. The general consensus at the table I sat in on gathered that we should place more emphasis on restructuring our government. We generally felt the need to continue to elect officials to make our comprehensive plan change decisions rather than putting it into the publics' hands. For this reason, we proposed that our elected officials are in office due to the majority of voters within our communities. However, we felt that a change is needed to ensure a less corruptive government is in power. Much too often, officials receiving rather large campaign contributions tend to favor comprehensive land usage plans even if they are not in the best interest of the citizens it will affect. Overall, this was an excellent experience to connect with the citizens of Deland and surrounding communities to share our views on this November's Amendment 4 issue. As a student of Dr. Ball’s class and a future researcher on the outcomes of this forum, I found it to be most intriguing. Previously, I had never attended a function such as this. This forum allowed me to experience firsthand how deliberation works within a community. I found it interesting just how diverse the ideas were concerning Amendment 4’s Hometown Democracy issue. The general consensus at the table I sat in on gathered that we should place more emphasis on restructuring our government. We generally felt the need to continue to elect officials to make our comprehensive plan change decisions rather than putting it into the publics’ hands. For this reason, we proposed that our elected officials are in office due to the majority of voters within our communities. However, we felt that a change is needed to ensure a less corruptive government is in power. Much too often, officials receiving rather large campaign contributions tend to favor comprehensive land usage plans even if they are not in the best interest of the citizens it will affect. Overall, this was an excellent experience to connect with the citizens of Deland and surrounding communities to share our views on this November’s Amendment 4 issue.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Christopher Gould http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Christopher Gould Sun, 02 May 2010 20:50:53 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-74 The forum was definitely one of the most interesting events I've attended at Stetson. I love how there were people from every background, ethnicity, age, sex, and we were all discussing something that we all had a stake in: our future. I hope that in the future, there will be more deliberative forums. The people seemed to truly enjoy themselves. Citizenship these days seems to have developed into people sitting on their couches, yelling at the tv, being TOLD what to believe. These forums are an attempt to get people thinking for themselves again. Hearing the opinion of several different people at the same time really gives people a better overall understanding of issues. I think that educating the public on what exactly is going on is one of Stetson's obligations to the community. The forum was definitely one of the most interesting events I’ve attended at Stetson. I love how there were people from every background, ethnicity, age, sex, and we were all discussing something that we all had a stake in: our future. I hope that in the future, there will be more deliberative forums. The people seemed to truly enjoy themselves. Citizenship these days seems to have developed into people sitting on their couches, yelling at the tv, being TOLD what to believe. These forums are an attempt to get people thinking for themselves again. Hearing the opinion of several different people at the same time really gives people a better overall understanding of issues. I think that educating the public on what exactly is going on is one of Stetson’s obligations to the community.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Jesse Roaza http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Jesse Roaza Sat, 01 May 2010 17:23:12 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-69 I'm also a student from Dr. Ball's class. I really enjoyed participating in this forum and discussing Amendment 4 with people outside Stetson. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a whole lot of diverse views over the issues discussed with everyone at my table already supporting Amendment 4. However I did get a lot of interesting ideas and feedback from the event. One idea that my table discussed which I thought was interesting was the idea of establishing civic education outside the classroom for young people and those out of school. I too agree that this forum should be held at a monthly basis. Its important for the community to get together and discuss local issues affecting them in a constructive and productive manner. Also the more frequent this forum can be the more diverse the participants can be so that we can get a more ethnically and ideologically diverse group of people talking to each other. I’m also a student from Dr. Ball’s class. I really enjoyed participating in this forum and discussing Amendment 4 with people outside Stetson. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a whole lot of diverse views over the issues discussed with everyone at my table already supporting Amendment 4. However I did get a lot of interesting ideas and feedback from the event. One idea that my table discussed which I thought was interesting was the idea of establishing civic education outside the classroom for young people and those out of school. I too agree that this forum should be held at a monthly basis. Its important for the community to get together and discuss local issues affecting them in a constructive and productive manner. Also the more frequent this forum can be the more diverse the participants can be so that we can get a more ethnically and ideologically diverse group of people talking to each other.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Matthew Solomon http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Matthew Solomon Sat, 01 May 2010 12:08:53 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-68 As a student of Dr. Ball's, I have rather enjoyed the forum. The forum was a multifaceted tool to allow multiple parties and multiple differences to be met and allowed to conflict with each other to come up with a compromise. The forum should be a monthly occurrence it is a vital asset for public officials to gauge where their decision making abilities for the community should be at,and it allows the public to generalize and voice their opinion on topics revolving around city, county, and state politics. Hopefully with enough engagement, and enough controversial legislation being considered, we as a people could prove Robert Putnam wrong about the declining Social Capital in the United States, this forum was a start and hopefully it will continue to exist, allowing both sides to continual meet and understand both sides of the considered issue. Public forums help politicians understand where their constituents really stand with an issue, and helps the politician make the right choice for them. Politicians don't know what the public thinks until the public has spoken of it, it is your civic duty as a citizen to vocalize your issues and concerns to your community to ensure your voice is counted when a decision needs to be weighed. As a student of Dr. Ball’s, I have rather enjoyed the forum. The forum was a multifaceted tool to allow multiple parties and multiple differences to be met and allowed to conflict with each other to come up with a compromise. The forum should be a monthly occurrence it is a vital asset for public officials to gauge where their decision making abilities for the community should be at,and it allows the public to generalize and voice their opinion on topics revolving around city, county, and state politics. Hopefully with enough engagement, and enough controversial legislation being considered, we as a people could prove Robert Putnam wrong about the declining Social Capital in the United States, this forum was a start and hopefully it will continue to exist, allowing both sides to continual meet and understand both sides of the considered issue. Public forums help politicians understand where their constituents really stand with an issue, and helps the politician make the right choice for them. Politicians don’t know what the public thinks until the public has spoken of it, it is your civic duty as a citizen to vocalize your issues and concerns to your community to ensure your voice is counted when a decision needs to be weighed.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Jasmine Chalashtori http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Jasmine Chalashtori Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:09:06 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-67 The forum was an interesting way overall to get a feel for hands on engagement. What was most disappointing to me was the lack of youth present at the debate. While this may be because the subject matter doesn't necessarily appeal to non-land owning youth, I expected at least more than were present. While young people are not necessarily buying land now, they may be in the near future as they graduate college and begin a career. A large majority of the people present were beyond the baby-boomer years, a phenomenon that seems common at meetings like these. My the majority of the people at my table were not as concerned about Amendment 4 as they were about the lack of overall civic engagement. Several reported that under 10 people were present at their local city council meetings regularly. Some argued that this is because of the time of the meetings which are held at 7pm, around the time when people are getting off work and are trying to get home, have dinner and unwind. Regardless, it seemed that there was a general air of discontent among the engaged with the status of engagement. Some argued that even if Amendment 4 is passed, it does not necessarily mean that people will be compelled to become engaged. Others argued that "if you build it they will come" and if people feel that they can be effective and make an impact, then they will take the initiative to do so. Overall, there was a general consensus that education is key to improving civic engagement and should be implemented at all levels immediately so that the next generation will be instilled with a sense of civic duty. The forum was an interesting way overall to get a feel for hands on engagement. What was most disappointing to me was the lack of youth present at the debate. While this may be because the subject matter doesn’t necessarily appeal to non-land owning youth, I expected at least more than were present. While young people are not necessarily buying land now, they may be in the near future as they graduate college and begin a career. A large majority of the people present were beyond the baby-boomer years, a phenomenon that seems common at meetings like these. My the majority of the people at my table were not as concerned about Amendment 4 as they were about the lack of overall civic engagement. Several reported that under 10 people were present at their local city council meetings regularly. Some argued that this is because of the time of the meetings which are held at 7pm, around the time when people are getting off work and are trying to get home, have dinner and unwind. Regardless, it seemed that there was a general air of discontent among the engaged with the status of engagement. Some argued that even if Amendment 4 is passed, it does not necessarily mean that people will be compelled to become engaged. Others argued that “if you build it they will come” and if people feel that they can be effective and make an impact, then they will take the initiative to do so. Overall, there was a general consensus that education is key to improving civic engagement and should be implemented at all levels immediately so that the next generation will be instilled with a sense of civic duty.

]]> Comment on || The Promise of Local Government as a ‘School of Democracy’ (Part Two): The City of DeLand, Florida. by William Nylen http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2009/11/05/the-promise-of-local-government-as-a-%e2%80%98school-of-democracy%e2%80%99-part-two-the-city-of-deland-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-66 William Nylen Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:46:24 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=131#comment-66 Justin: I agree! The problem is that most government officials, elected and career, here in the U.S. at least, take the 'technocratic approach' to public administration. In such an approach, the less public involvement in substantive decision making, the better. You can see this in their almost universal abhorence (from what I can see) of the proposed Hometown Democracy amendment here in Florida. That being the case, as in the story line of democracy everywhere, it is an activist public and elected advocates that must push for greater citizen inclusion and engagement. Evidence from more participatory systems in other parts of the world suggests that it's a combination of progressive citizen-activists and politicians, motivated by a participatory ideology, that is most effective. I look forward to such a formula materializing some day here in the U.S. It is certainly much more likely to take place at the local level than at the national level. Justin: I agree! The problem is that most government officials, elected and career, here in the U.S. at least, take the ‘technocratic approach’ to public administration. In such an approach, the less public involvement in substantive decision making, the better. You can see this in their almost universal abhorence (from what I can see) of the proposed Hometown Democracy amendment here in Florida. That being the case, as in the story line of democracy everywhere, it is an activist public and elected advocates that must push for greater citizen inclusion and engagement. Evidence from more participatory systems in other parts of the world suggests that it’s a combination of progressive citizen-activists and politicians, motivated by a participatory ideology, that is most effective. I look forward to such a formula materializing some day here in the U.S. It is certainly much more likely to take place at the local level than at the national level.

]]> Comment on || The Promise of Local Government as a ‘School of Democracy’: Alexis de Tocqueville (part 1). by Vonzelle Johnson http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2009/08/27/the-promise-of-local-government-as-a-%e2%80%98school-of-democracy%e2%80%99-alexis-de-tocqueville-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Vonzelle Johnson Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:03:10 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=7#comment-65 Prof. Nylen, Here are a few general reactions to the piece: De Tocqueville’s early observations that the central, or federal, government in the U.S. was relatively limited in its size, scope and reach provided a base for grave insight to state and local governments. Relevance and accessibility, in my opinion are two components that are necessary for community involvement. Perhaps De Tocqueville was fortunate to live in an era where greed did not dictate agendas. Over time, at any level of government, greed and moral weakness has forced officials to accept both, ‘information overload’ tactics and reactive strategies in regard to how government is run. ‘Information overload’ refers to the specific governmental jargon provided to citizens, leaving it to citizens to decipher through the language in hopes of taking an informed stance. Reactive strategies refers to an elitist mentality by officials-“we’re here…people know we’re here meeting so they should come to us”, and we will proactive illicit the public’s opinion only when pressing issues are on the table. Together, ‘information overload’ and reactive strategies, mixed with other factors cause a growing divide between citizens and officials, hence lessening the relevance and accessibility. This growing divide decreases the amount of personal efficacy citizens truly believe they have-next along the continuum is apathy. The current structure works wonders for the 2-3% of citizens who wish to continue to exercise their power and have the ability to influence big decisions. “We are keeping the majority of the population ignorant to the issues that affect them the most…and at the end of the day our base response is that we were here for them, they just didn’t come to the meeting”. Well sorry, unfortunately for those at the top, that logic has grown old-people elect officials so officials have a responsibility to work for the people, and how can I work for my boss if I am not tracking him down in some form or fashion to see what he truly wants done? So to answer Professor Nylen’s question, no, local institutions are not still “schools of democracy”. Local institutions are not doing nearly as much as they should to educate the people and more importantly the youth. We have truly removed ourselves from the whole notion of passing the torch to the next person-greed and complacency has caused that demise. Prof. Nylen,
Here are a few general reactions to the piece:

De Tocqueville’s early observations that the central, or federal, government in the U.S. was relatively limited in its size, scope and reach provided a base for grave insight to state and local governments. Relevance and accessibility, in my opinion are two components that are necessary for community involvement. Perhaps De Tocqueville was fortunate to live in an era where greed did not dictate agendas.

Over time, at any level of government, greed and moral weakness has forced officials to accept both, ‘information overload’ tactics and reactive strategies in regard to how government is run. ‘Information overload’ refers to the specific governmental jargon provided to citizens, leaving it to citizens to decipher through the language in hopes of taking an informed stance. Reactive strategies refers to an elitist mentality by officials-“we’re here…people know we’re here meeting so they should come to us”, and we will proactive illicit the public’s opinion only when pressing issues are on the table. Together, ‘information overload’ and reactive strategies, mixed with other factors cause a growing divide between citizens and officials, hence lessening the relevance and accessibility. This growing divide decreases the amount of personal efficacy citizens truly believe they have-next along the continuum is apathy.

The current structure works wonders for the 2-3% of citizens who wish to continue to exercise their power and have the ability to influence big decisions. “We are keeping the majority of the population ignorant to the issues that affect them the most…and at the end of the day our base response is that we were here for them, they just didn’t come to the meeting”. Well sorry, unfortunately for those at the top, that logic has grown old-people elect officials so officials have a responsibility to work for the people, and how can I work for my boss if I am not tracking him down in some form or fashion to see what he truly wants done? So to answer Professor Nylen’s question, no, local institutions are not still “schools of democracy”. Local institutions are not doing nearly as much as they should to educate the people and more importantly the youth. We have truly removed ourselves from the whole notion of passing the torch to the next person-greed and complacency has caused that demise.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Tamara Mancuso http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Tamara Mancuso Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:55:03 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-64 I too am a student not originally from Volusia county an I was able to see some different views on amendment 4 (which was what was discussed for the most part). However, I noticed that almost everyone agreed that the Government shouldn't have total control. Most people wanted a mix of Government control and control from the people or the people being able to vote on everything. I, however, wanted the option of the property owners to have total control. If you are able to pay for something and you choose to do so then you should be the only one with say over what you paid for. I do believe people should only vote and decide amongst themselves directly over land that is declared public land. I feel this forums was an excellent idea because I was able to meet people from different backgrounds and watch how people were discussing and debating. I also noticed that some people even because to change their opinions through out the forums. If these forums are held more often then it most likely lead to more people being politically involved which would help this country out tremendously along side have more civic and political engagement classes being held in all schools not just college and Universities. I too am a student not originally from Volusia county an I was able to see some different views on amendment 4 (which was what was discussed for the most part). However, I noticed that almost everyone agreed that the Government shouldn’t have total control. Most people wanted a mix of Government control and control from the people or the people being able to vote on everything. I, however, wanted the option of the property owners to have total control. If you are able to pay for something and you choose to do so then you should be the only one with say over what you paid for. I do believe people should only vote and decide amongst themselves directly over land that is declared public land.
I feel this forums was an excellent idea because I was able to meet people from different backgrounds and watch how people were discussing and debating. I also noticed that some people even because to change their opinions through out the forums.
If these forums are held more often then it most likely lead to more people being politically involved which would help this country out tremendously along side have more civic and political engagement classes being held in all schools not just college and Universities.

]]> Comment on || Forum on the Public’s Role in Planning for Growth and Development. by Alexandra Hernandez http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/04/21/forum-on-the-public%e2%80%99s-role-in-planning-for-growth-and-development/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Alexandra Hernandez Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:25:27 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=212#comment-61 As a student of Dr. Ball's civic engagement class, I was able to participate in the first half and first round table discussion on the Florida's Hometown Democracy, amendment 4. As a citizen, although not originally from Volusia County, I was able to meet other citizens and discuss concerns and views on the amendment 4. The event included citizens from different backgrounds and areas of Volusia County. At the table I sat in, there were several environmentalists, an attorney for land use, the mayor of orange city, and a few citizens that have become interested in local politics as of late and wanted to experience the public forum. Every individual at the table was able to speak their mind and voice their heart on the matters of amendment 4 and their communities. There were many different views and responses to amendment 4. Most of the citizens at the table were not completely, whole-heartedly in support of amendment 4, which made voters accountable for growth in their communities. They believed that citizens, who did support amendment 4, did so mostly out of frustration with the governmental system, and felt that their local representatives were not hearing them out on local affairs. My table wanted a new way to be formulated, for citizens and government to work together, but that this is simply what everyone hopes for, a new approach for policy-making in communities (creating a new process for citizens and government to come together). What I believed to be the most interesting part of the discussion at the public forum, was when the local citizens at the table that I sat in began discussing civic engagement in general: what is really keeping people from more engagement? What do people lack? People perceive they don’t have power, or take America for granted. The opportunities to become involved in local politics exist, but some individuals believed that people don’t want to confront conflicts. Yet, there is still room for growth in civic engagement, and the public forum was a real and true example of that. Citizens ultimately want a sense of community, and that is important to democracy. By bringing individuals together, through meetings such as the public forum, a new wave of civic engagement can unravel. I believed the public forum was a great opportunity for bringing citizens together to try and carve out a common ground of concerns for the amendment 4, and allowing local citizens to decide what is significant for their respective communities. The ability to bring together local governmental officials, activists, environmentalists, attorneys, and ordinary citizens for a deliberation on an amendment that can ultimately have an effect on every citizen of Volusia county showed me how civic engagement is possible, if we are motivated to conduct community meetings like the public forum, for citizens to meet one another and learn about local politics, in hopes of making a difference. As a student of Dr. Ball’s civic engagement class, I was able to participate in the first half and first round table discussion on the Florida’s Hometown Democracy, amendment 4. As a citizen, although not originally from Volusia County, I was able to meet other citizens and discuss concerns and views on the amendment 4. The event included citizens from different backgrounds and areas of Volusia County. At the table I sat in, there were several environmentalists, an attorney for land use, the mayor of orange city, and a few citizens that have become interested in local politics as of late and wanted to experience the public forum. Every individual at the table was able to speak their mind and voice their heart on the matters of amendment 4 and their communities.

There were many different views and responses to amendment 4. Most of the citizens at the table were not completely, whole-heartedly in support of amendment 4, which made voters accountable for growth in their communities. They believed that citizens, who did support amendment 4, did so mostly out of frustration with the governmental system, and felt that their local representatives were not hearing them out on local affairs. My table wanted a new way to be formulated, for citizens and government to work together, but that this is simply what everyone hopes for, a new approach for policy-making in communities (creating a new process for citizens and government to come together).

What I believed to be the most interesting part of the discussion at the public forum, was when the local citizens at the table that I sat in began discussing civic engagement in general: what is really keeping people from more engagement? What do people lack? People perceive they don’t have power, or take America for granted. The opportunities to become involved in local politics exist, but some individuals believed that people don’t want to confront conflicts. Yet, there is still room for growth in civic engagement, and the public forum was a real and true example of that. Citizens ultimately want a sense of community, and that is important to democracy. By bringing individuals together, through meetings such as the public forum, a new wave of civic engagement can unravel. I believed the public forum was a great opportunity for bringing citizens together to try and carve out a common ground of concerns for the amendment 4, and allowing local citizens to decide what is significant for their respective communities. The ability to bring together local governmental officials, activists, environmentalists, attorneys, and ordinary citizens for a deliberation on an amendment that can ultimately have an effect on every citizen of Volusia county showed me how civic engagement is possible, if we are motivated to conduct community meetings like the public forum, for citizens to meet one another and learn about local politics, in hopes of making a difference.

]]> Comment on || The Poor State of Florida’s Civic Health. by Christopher Gould http://thepolity.net/wordpress/2010/02/25/the-poor-state-of-floridas-civic-health/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Christopher Gould Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:57 +0000 http://thepolity.net/wordpress/?p=190#comment-51 This is an issue that I have been wrestling with for the better half of the 13 years I've lived in Florida. However, I've never able to put words to it until now. Dr.Ball spoke of a "highly mobile culture" in Florida. It is in my opinion that this, more than the other reason presented, is the cause for Florida's embarrassing civic health. In general, it seems that almost everyone I meet in Floria is from somewhere else. One of the first questions I ask someone in conversation is: "Where are you from?" The response I frequently receive is somewhere in the northeastern region of the United States or at least somewhere outside of Florida. It is very rare for me to meet someone who associates their home with somewhere in Florida. I am in college, so I understand that it is expected for me to meet people from other parts of the country but I've found that some of them actually live in Florida now, but they still associate their home with their birthplace. This may just be a cultural phenomena but I find it very revealing as it pertains to building social capital. For example, I only lived in Boston, Massachusetts until I was about 7 years old. However, I still tell people that “I’m from” Massachusetts and I still support all the teams from my hometown (Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, etc). Because Florida attracts so may different people from some many different backgrounds, it causes individuals to flock towards those who share common interests generated from living or at least associating with a specific region and in turn, culture. I feel that it is accurate to say that people from the northeast (New York, Massachusetts, etc) are very different from people in the south (Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, etc). Florida's highly mobile culture, in my opinion, is extremely conducive to building "bonding social capital." In other words, people associating with others who share common backgrounds and interests with them. As Dr.Ball proposed, it is the duty of Florida's educational institutions to start producing citizens who are aware of the sad civic health of Florida and desire to help people understand that it takes the effort of everyone to build the society we all desire. This society will be produced through many different methods but "bridging social capital" will be the difference maker. "Bridging social capital" refers to the building of social networks between people with different interests and backgrounds. In my opinion, the production of this bridging capital will result in a dramatic increase in Florida's civic health because it will mean that people are actually associating with those outside of their typical social network. It is my hope that this will change Florida from “the place where my house is” to “my home.” Chris Gould Stetson University Political Science Major Sophomore This is an issue that I have been wrestling with for the better half of the 13 years I’ve lived in Florida. However, I’ve never able to put words to it until now. Dr.Ball spoke of a “highly mobile culture” in Florida. It is in my opinion that this, more than the other reason presented, is the cause for Florida’s embarrassing civic health. In general, it seems that almost everyone I meet in Floria is from somewhere else. One of the first questions I ask someone in conversation is: “Where are you from?” The response I frequently receive is somewhere in the northeastern region of the United States or at least somewhere outside of Florida. It is very rare for me to meet someone who associates their home with somewhere in Florida. I am in college, so I understand that it is expected for me to meet people from other parts of the country but I’ve found that some of them actually live in Florida now, but they still associate their home with their birthplace. This may just be a cultural phenomena but I find it very revealing as it pertains to building social capital. For example, I only lived in Boston, Massachusetts until I was about 7 years old. However, I still tell people that “I’m from” Massachusetts and I still support all the teams from my hometown (Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, etc).
Because Florida attracts so may different people from some many different backgrounds, it causes individuals to flock towards those who share common interests generated from living or at least associating with a specific region and in turn, culture. I feel that it is accurate to say that people from the northeast (New York, Massachusetts, etc) are very different from people in the south (Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, etc). Florida’s highly mobile culture, in my opinion, is extremely conducive to building “bonding social capital.” In other words, people associating with others who share common backgrounds and interests with them.
As Dr.Ball proposed, it is the duty of Florida’s educational institutions to start producing citizens who are aware of the sad civic health of Florida and desire to help people understand that it takes the effort of everyone to build the society we all desire. This society will be produced through many different methods but “bridging social capital” will be the difference maker. “Bridging social capital” refers to the building of social networks between people with different interests and backgrounds. In my opinion, the production of this bridging capital will result in a dramatic increase in Florida’s civic health because it will mean that people are actually associating with those outside of their typical social network. It is my hope that this will change Florida from “the place where my house is” to “my home.”

Chris Gould
Stetson University
Political Science Major
Sophomore

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