Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth Kaplan

Show Notes:Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth KaplanIn 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 Hosts00:31 Guest Introduction: Seth Kaplan01:26 Seth Kaplan's Journey and Work04:03 Community Dynamics and Social Cohesion10:20 Trust and Social Interaction17:28 Government Decentralization and Community Empowerment28:33 Neighborhood Design and Social Innovation35:15 Gardening as a Metaphor for Community Growth36:14 The Importance of Relationships in Politics37:17 Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Politics38:13 Historical Context: Local vs. National Focus43:43 Revitalizing Segregated Neighborhoods49:58 Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges52:12 Practical Steps for Community Engagement58:20 Optimism and Future of Local Civil Society01:06:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com