Fragile and Flourishing Neighborhoods with Seth D. Kaplan

Seth D. Kaplan is a leading expert on fragile states. He is a Professorial Lecturer in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), and consultant to multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and OECD as well as developing country governments and NGOs.In this episode, we talk about: The difference between social life in Western versus non-Western countriesHow Seth was drawn to the study of fragile statesHow strong relationships in a country are correlated with economic development and peaceWhy addressing key social problems requires starting at the neighborhood-levelThe relationship between life expectancy and one’s neighborhoodThe beauty of living in a thriving and close-knit neighborhoodHow modern society’s idea of happiness promotes lonelinessOn boosting the collective self-efficacy in an areaFive factors that help communities thriveHow religion can play a role in community buildingThe need for translocal organizations Cultivating college programs to develop civic leadersTo learn more about Seth’s work, you can find him at: https://sethkaplan.org/ You can order his book Fragile Neighborhoods here: https://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Neighborhoods-Repairing-American-Society/dp/0316521396/Support the show