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Ethnical diversity is increasing, mostly under the influence of increasing immigration. In the long run, immigration and diversity have important cultural, economical, tax related and developmental benefits. In the short term view, however, immigration and ethnical diversity tend to hinder solidarity and social capital.

Relatively recently in the USA published data show that inhabitants of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods conduct themselves rather inconspicuously. There is less confidence, even between people who belong to the same ethnic group. There is a decline in altruism and co-operation and people have less friends than elsewhere.

In the long run, immigrant societies get over this stage of fragmentation by developing new and diagonal forms of solidarity and a broader identity, meaning a broader definition of 'we'. The largescale American survey, based on detailed interviews with almost 30 000 people, conducted by the liberal (= in the USA rather left wing) political scientist Robert Putnam (Harvard), analysed the deteriorating civil involvement. The larger the degree of diversity in a community, the less people vote, the less volunteers there are, the lower the contributions to charity and the less work is invested in community projects. In those communities that have the largest diversity, neighbours trust oneanother only half as much as in the most homogenous neighbourhoods.

About every indicator of a healthy society is lower in neighbourhoods with more diversity. Putnam spent his youth in the fifties, in a small town in the Midwest. He knew the religion of almost every schoolmate, because that information was crucial to determine who would be a possible girl friend or future wife. Since that time the importance of marrying within ones religious group has deminished (in any case concerning protestants, catholics and jews). Putnam admits that racial and ethnic differences might be more persistent, but the future of social capital in a multi ethnic America seems to be fair.

Conclusion: The sollution to 'survive' the fragmentation of our society seems to be to develop a broader definition of 'we'. That will be tough, especially for people like me. When I die in a flood, they would have to look upstream for my corps. Small chance me expanding my identity! I don't even have a community spirit.
Moreover (and more seriously), can we apply Putnam's results to Western European society? Only last May scientist of the University of Leuven (Flanders, Belgium) published data which seem to lead to the conclusion that the impact of diversity on society in Flanders should be placed in the right perspective. In Flanders the influence of diversity on the quality of living together, seems to be minimal or even absent. Flemish society is changing and evolving, but that doesn't mean that it is falling apart.

Article in English: The Boston Globe ...