Disconnected

Description

As Australians, we traditionally see ourselves as friendly, relaxed and connected people. But is this an outdated stereotype? The data from our census and countless other surveys show that Australian society is shifting rapidly. These days, chances are you never quite get around to talking to your neighbours. You're always too busy to give blood. You're so tired on Sunday mornings, you just never make it to church. And as for those after-work local community meetings...If this sounds like your life, you might find that you've become Disconnected - that like most Australians, you've lost touch with your community. Andrew Leigh guides us through the causes of this corrosion of relationships, and towards a vision for a better civic and personal life.

Andrew Leigh is an economics professor at Australian National University and a former lawyer, political advisor, and think-tank researcher. He has written two books and over fifty journal articles and is a regular columnist for the Australian Financial Review.

Andrew Leigh is a rarity--an economist who can crunch numbers and write lucid, engaging prose on a subject that matters. --Adele Horin, columnist and reporter, Sydney Morning Herald This accessible and sophisticated book is really important, and not just for Australians. Andrew Leigh, who writes with wit and vigor, has produced the first comprehensive summary of trends in social connections anywhere outside the US. Anyone concerned about contemporary society will find this book both informative and enjoyable. --Robert Putnam, author, Bowling Alone