CEO Lecture: counting the cost of bowling alone

RSA

January 21

RSA House and YouTube

Join us at RSA House and online for the 2025 RSA Chief Executive’s Lecture

In his annual RSA Chief Executive's Lecture, Andy Haldane examines the profound socio-economic consequences of eroding social capital, a theme famously explored by Harvard political scientist Bob Putnam in Bowling Alone. While macroeconomic advancements helped address past crises like the Great Depression, today’s challenge lies in confronting the "Great Division”, the deepening fractures within and between societies. Despite unparalleled global connectivity, communities are fragmenting, leading to slowed economic growth, reduced social mobility, rising loneliness, and declining trust in institutions. Highlighting the critical role of social capital in fostering growth, health, and governance, Andy calls for a transformative shift in policy aiming to address the root causes of contemporary social and economic divides.

Speaker

Andy Haldane, RSA CEO

Chair

Julia George, Journalist