Can Southern Culture Save Democracy? How Small Towns in the Deep South Create a Unique Set of Social Norms that can be Mobilized to Uphold a Functioning Democracy.

Across the nation, American democracy is threatened by the downfall of civil societies over the past six decades. Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital” argues that with increased community civic engagement comes a positive impact on democracy. The Southern culture I felt could work as this guide to saving democracy is an expectation to support your neighbors, a willingness to connect with complete strangers and a collective belief in serving your community. To understand how a region can hold a contrary stereotype of hospitality while also being known for its historical and current prejudice, I spent over a month traveling to six small towns in four states across the Deep South. I interviewed individuals in each town that are involved within their community to understand what motivates them to be involved and what is unique about Southern culture that fosters community. From these interviews, I found that Southern civil society creates three unique social norms that work cyclically to create an inclusive democracy for all to participate: hospitality, willingness to understand others and expectation of serving one’s community. 

For more information: cpreagan@eckerd.edu