Through uplifting human stories and an illuminating tour through the science of social connection, Palaces for the People shows that properly designing and maintaining this ‘social infrastructure’ might be our single best strategy for a more equal and united society. Klinenberg shares that these spaces are often crucial and life-saving on the communal and individual levels. Why? Because wherever people cross paths and linger, wherever we gather informally, strike up a conversation and get to know one another, relationships blossom and communities emerge – and where communities are strong, people are safer and healthier, crime drops and commerce thrives, and peace, tolerance and stability take root. In Palaces for the People, Klinenberg talks about social infrastructuresshared spaces such as libraries, childcare centers, religious centers, and parks, for examplewhere communities are formed and come together. Too often we take for granted and neglect our libraries, parks, markets, schools, playgrounds, gardens and communal spaces, but decades of research now shows that these places can have an extraordinary effect on our personal and collective wellbeing. In Palaces for the People he argues that social infrastructure, like public libraries, childcare. 'This wonderful book shows us how democracies thrive' Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt, authors of How Democracies Die Eric Klinenberg believes that our shared spaces hold a key to reducing our social divisions. Sociologist and best-selling author Eric Klinenberg introduces a transformative and powerfully uplifting new idea for health, happiness, safety and healing our divided, unequal society.

Eric klinenberg palaces for the people