REVIEW: Week Ten

Albert Hirschman's Theory of exit, voice, and loyalty

Members of a society have two possible choices when the neighborhood changes (race, income, crime): they can exit(meaning move out) or they can voice(meaning express their views through complaints or ideas to stop the negative change). When the citizens have strong loyalty, exit is minimal and voice is predominately used. Factors that contribute to loyalty are community organizations, stable jobs, and generational inertia.

Tipping Point

When something transitions from unique to common. In the book, this happens when the residents of the neighborhoods give up on their voice and loyalty and succumb to exiting the area. The rapid "invasion" of different ethnic backgrounds creates a sense of loss of control in the original community members.

Solutions suggested in Ch. 6

The authors suggest that these neighborhoods band together and set aside their cultural differences to build a better place to live. Essentially they say that these neighborhoods need to use bridging social capital.