ABOUT THE FILM

In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.

Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?

FEATURING


Join or Die spotlights six community groups working to revitalize American civic life.

  • Odd Fellows #80

    Waxahachie, TX — An old federated society chapter bucking decline trends.

  • Red Bike & Green

    Atlanta, GA — A Black cycling collective.


  • Plainsong Farm & Ministry

    Rockford, MI — An ecumenical ministry on a farm.

  • Bowl Portland

    Portland, ME — A thriving, modern bowling league.


  • CIELO

    Los Angeles, CA — An indigenous mutual aid and advocacy group.


  • Chicago Gig Alliance

    Chicago Gig Alliance

    Chicago, IL — Rideshare drivers coming together to fight for better working conditions.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY SCREENINGS

Don't see a screening near you? Click here to host your own community screening of Join or Die

GroupCityState15 Union St.
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Location
The Shelby Township LibraryShelby TownshipMIMay 3, 202552610 Van Dyke Ave
Shelby Township, MI 48316
Meaningful Movies Rainier BeachSeattleWAMay 3, 20256038 S. Pilgrim St.
Seattle, WA 98118
The Center for Continuing EducationMamaroneckNYMay 7, 20251000 W Boston Post Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Crossing Party Lines - Braver Angels Long IslandBay ShoreNYMay 7, 2025 28 Brentwood Rd.
Bay Shore, NY 11706
San Diego State UniversityLa MesaVAMay 8, 20259001 Wakarusa St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
Community Nurses of ThetfordThetford CenterVTMay 8, 2025304 Academy Rd.
Thetford Center, VT 05075
Indivisible MoscowMoscowIDMay 13, 2025 508 South Main St.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
The State Theatre of Modesto ModestoCAMay 14, 20251307 J St.
Modesto, CA 95354
Manchester-by-the-Sea Library Manchester-by-the-SeaMAMay 14, 202515 Union Street
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Berkeley Tennis ClubBerkeleyCAMay 16, 2025One Tunnel Rd
Berkeley, CA 94705
Kingston LibraryKingstonNYMay 18, 2025272 Wall St.
Kingston, NY 12401
Rotary Club of Benicia
BeniciaCAMay 18, 2025150 E L St.
Benicia, CA 94510
Waquoit Congregational Church East FalmouthMAMay 25, 202515 Parsons Lane
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Tranzac ClubTorontoONMay 25, 2025292 Brunswick Ave
Toronto, ON M5S 2M7 Canada
Linn-Benton Community CollegeCorvallisORMay 25, 2025931 NW Reiman Ave,
Corvallis, OR 97330
City of Edmonton, Neighbourhood ServicesEdmontonCanadaMay 28, 202516220 103 St. NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
AmeriCorps Rural Health Service Corps
BinghamtonNYMay 29, 2025455 Court St.
Binghamton, NY 1390
Baldwin Public LibraryBirminghamMIJun 1, 2025300 West Merrill St.
Birmingham, MI 48009
Bradley University
PeoriaILJun 9, 2025222 SW Washington St.
Peoria, IL 61602
Jane Pickens Theater & Event CenterMontvaleNJJun 11, 202512 Depiero Dr # 100
Montvale, NJ 07645
Denver Neighborhood Film FestDenverCOJun 12, 20252644 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO 80211
Deborah Rawson Memorial LibraryJerichoVTJun 16, 20258 River Rd.
Jericho, VT 05465
Noel Wien Public LibraryFairbanksAKJun 17, 20251215 Cowles St.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Elbert County Chamber of Commerce ElbertonGAJun 22, 2025100 South Oliver St.
Elberton, GA 30635
Milton Council on AgingMiltonMAJun 23, 202510 Walnut St.
Milton, MA 02186
Jeudevine LibraryHardwickVTJun 26, 202593 N Main St.
Hardwick, VT 05843
Fort Lee Public LibraryFort LeeNJJul 19, 2025153 Main Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
University of Southern IndianaEvansvilleINAug 7, 20258600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
The Little Theater in Rochester, NYRochesterNYSep 8, 2025 240 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14604
The Sowing RoomBrainerdMNSep 22, 2025523 South 5th St.
Brainerd, MN 56401

HOST A SCREENING


Join or Die is currently on an international community screening tour. If you are part of a civic group, campus, congregation, company, neighborhood (or any gathering of three or more people!) that would like to be a stop on the Join Up! Tour, reach out using the form below to inquire about hosting a screening.

MEET BOB


Harvard professor Robert D. Putnam is America’s preeminent political scientist — and one of the most widely read and cited social scientists living today. Author of fourteen books, translated into twenty languages, his work focuses on asking big questions about American society and deploying immense, creative studies and analyses to unlock answers.


His groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research — which demonstrated that levels of American community connections were in decline over the past half-century — rocketed Putnam to national fame in the late 1990s, earning him the moniker “the poet laureate of civil society” and the ear of presidents, religious leaders, and tech founders over the coming decades. In 2012, President Obama awarded Putnam the National Humanities Medal, the nation’s highest honor for contributions to the humanities. As more Americans turn on to the reality of our social isolation crisis, a consistent drumbeat of media interest in revisiting Putnam’s work has grown.

THE ‘BOWLING ALONE’ PHENOMENON


40% DECLINE

…from the 1970s to the 1990s in the number of Americans who attended even one public meeting on town or school affairs in the previous year

60% DECLINE

....from the 1970s to the 1990s in the amount of picnics Americans attended annually

50% DECLINE

..from the 1970s to the 1990s in the number of Americans who took any leadership role in any local organization.

35% DECLINE

…from the 1960s to the 2020s in religious congregation membership

50% DECLINE

...from the 1970s to the 1990s in the number of times Americans attended a club meeting the previous year.

66% DECLINE

…from the 1960s to the 2010s in union membership

JOIN OR DIE BOOK CLUB

For further reading on the themes touched on in Join or Die, check out the following books


MEET THE TEAM


MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF


PRESS


“Everyone should watch this movie. It’s put together in an approachable and entertaining way and it’s a conversation we need to be having.”

Rachel Wagner, March 30, 2023,
Rachel’s Reviews

“Clear and clever… leaves viewers contemplating the stark command of the title.” 

Nicole M. Perone, November 18, 2024,
NCR

“The film is so convincing that you’ll likely be signing up for your local bowling league soon after the credits roll.”

Louisa Moore, March 19, 2024,
Screen Zealots

“Proves itself vital and relevant, a necessary documentary that promises the conversation will continue long after the credits have rolled.” 

Stephanie Archer, March 15, 2023,
Film Inquiry 

“Robert Putnam is an affable, sensitive person and a wonderful camera subject who never seems calculated, withholding, or insincere.”

Matt Zoller Seitz, March 13, 2023, RogerEbert.com 

“Underlines the importance of civic engagement to our communities and each other. It shows us what is possible when people and communities pull together.” 

Christopher Lane, July 29, 2024, Psychology Today