Panganiban 1

Aimee Panganiban
Professor John Kubler
English 115
4 Sept 2014
Putnam and Lennon
Robert D. Putnam introduces the idea of social capital. Putnam claims that social capital
can benefit an individuals lifestyle emotionally and physically. Through this claim, Putnam
links immigration and diversity with social capital. People are able to adapt and share new
concepts and ways around the world through immigration. Because countries are becoming more
diverse, people interact with those of different ethnicities. Through research and various
resources (use of pathos and logos), Putnam then introduces a set of hypotheses and theories
explaining the various effects of diversity and our level of trust.
Putnam introduces the contact hypothesis which explains that when we interact with
different people, we begin to develop a sense of trust towards that person. Similar to the contact
hypothesis, the optimistic hypothesis explains that when people interact with other individuals of
different races, we gain an even greater sense of trust. The conflict theory, however, states that .
. . diversity fosters out-group distrust and in-group solidarity, (2). This theory states that when
people actually come into contact with different ethnicities, individuals tend to stay with their
own ethnicity and begin to have a smaller sense of trust to other ethnicities. The constrict theory
explains that when we come in contact with other ethnicities, it can increase or decrease our
sense of trust towards people of different races. Putnam also explains that the higher the diversity
in a city or country, the more people tend to have a smaller sense of trust towards other races.
However Putnam concludes that the United States of America will continue to be a country that
is filled with immigrants which results in an increase in diversity.

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Putnam assures that the country will continue to grow in diversity. People need to
improve their relationship with those around them, America is in the midst of renewing our
historical identity as a nation of immigrants and we must remind ourselves how to be a
successful immigrant nation, (5). Social capital can only flourish when people bring down their
boundaries and interact with other people. Overall, Putnam talks about diversity. John Lennons
song, Imagine however portrays strong emotions talking about Lennons longing for a place of
true bliss and equality.
Imagine opens with Lennon asking to imagine heaven and hell not existing. Lennon
hopes for a world of no religion . . . . no need for greed and hunger, (1). He claims if these did
not exist, people will be able to live life comfortably and to the fullest. Lennon also dreams for a
world in which will people comes together in unity. He concludes by stating, I hope someday
youll join us and the world will live as one, (1). He believes that there are also other people
who dream the same dream. In conclusion, Lennons song is different from Putnams article on
social capital in relation to diversity and immigration. While Putnam focuses on differences,
Lennon simply hopes for a world that is completely united that is not filled with problems and
worries.