Civic Attachment in the Aftermath of September 11

After September 11, 2001, many theorists saw indications of a surge in social capital, indicated by increased trust and civic engagement. This surge may have been linked to factors such as rally effects and the spiral of silence, as well as to behaviors like participation and conversation. This study analyzes panel data collected shortly after September 11 and again several months later. Predictors of civic attachment were very different from Wave 1 to Wave 2; for instance, traditional predictors of civic attachment, like participation and discussion, were significant only for the 2nd data collection. We argue that surges in attachment and other attitudes after September 11 were short-lived and distinct from standard patterns of social capital.