For the Common Good?: American Civic Life and the Golden Age of Fraternity

by Jason Kaufman

The Golden Age of Fraternity was a unique time in American history. Joining clubs, fraternities, militias, and mutual benefit societies between the Civil and First World Wars was so prevalent that many contemporaries see it as a model for a revitalization of American civil society today. Relying on extensive analysis of city directories, club histories, and membership lists, For the Common Good? aims to dispel many of the myths about the curative powers of clubbing while bringing to light the hidden lessons therein.

Paperback

First published September 5, 2002

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book. It will fundamentally change the way you think about the nonprofit sector as an agent of inclusive pluralism. As the title suggests, association in the "golden age of fraternity" has not proven to be for the common good.

[Stephanie Quesnelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An academic piece that argues many of the social welfare flaws in the US stems from the so called golden age of fraternity in the US. This period is often touted as the gold standard for community building and voluntary association. However the author shows how these old school fraternities may have stunted social policy development in the US by both being highly segregated by race religion sex and ethnicity AND by providing crappy but sufficient benefits to members in the short term (primarily life insurance). A very interesting perspective that makes a lot of sense at the beginning of the book with decent analysis to back it up. The second half of the book is much softer in terms of proof.

[Mills College Library]

361.37097 K213 2003