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Nicholas Vo
John Kubler
English 115
3 September 2014
Imagine Lyrics and Putnam Article Summary
In John Lennons widely known song, Imagine, he emphasizes the downside of religion
in the world. His song invites people to imagine a world where their lives are not ruled by their
beliefs. Lennon states, Imagine theres no heaven . . . . No hell below us(1). The belief of
heaven and hell dictates the way people live their lives. Without the belief in a heaven or hell,
people would just be Living for today(Imagine 1). Theyre lives wouldnt be filled with the
fear of going to hell or the relief of going to heaven. People would make decisions based on
their own moral beliefs and not worry about the consequences.
Lennons song was written during the Vietnam War. This was a period of time when the
majority of people in the world rallied together to fight against war. Everyone was an advocate
of peace. Lennon asks us to Imagine theres no countries . . . . Nothing to kill or die for. And no
religion too. Imagine all the people. Living life in peace(Imagine 1). People often choose to
die and also kill for their religion or country. For example, the United States sent troops to
Vietnam to die and kill in the name of their country. Lennon believes people would have no
reason to die or kill if there were no countries and no religion.
Lennon suggests that people become attached to their possessions. As a result, people
become greedy and they refuse to share. Lennon urges us to Imagine no possessions . . . . No
need for greed or hunger . . . . Imagine all the people. Sharing all the world(Imaagine 1).

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Lennon claims that without possessions, everyone would share and the world hunger will be a
thing of the past.
Robert D. Putnam was honored the Johan Skytte Prize for his article, E Pluribus Unum:
Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century. In his article, he explains the benefits of
diversity and its effect on social capital. Social capital, as Putnam states, consists of social
networks and the associated norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness(Putnam 1). In other
words, social capital is a web that connects people and the amount of trust within that
network. Putnams evidence shows that where social capital is increased, the social
environment is benefited.
Modern societies are becoming more ethnically diverse. With this diversity, comes many
problems as well as benefits. There are two opposing theories on diversity. One theory is the
Contact Hypothesis which claims that diversity in a community allows people to become
more comfortable with those of a different race. The opposing theory, Conflict Theory argues
that diversity forces people to divide themselves into homogeneous groups. On the other hand,
Putnams Constrict Theory suggests that diversity actually forces people to isolate themselves
from not only people of a different race, but also people of their own race. Putnams evidence
tends to support his claim. Judging from his evidence, he states Inhabitants of diverse
communities tend to withdraw from collective life, to distrust their neighbors, regardless of the
color of their skin(Putnam 5). This follows Putnams Constrict Theory. Diversity increases
distrust between homogeneous and heterogeneous groups.

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Putnam claims that economic diversity and ethnic diversity are not related. Putnams
evidence proves that even comparing two equally poor, equally crime ridden neighborhoods,
greater ethnic diversity is associated with less trust in neighbors(Putnam 5). No matter how
economically diverse a community is, the more ethnic diversity will lead to distrust between
neighbors.
The United States is on the brink of becoming a more diverse nation of immigrants.
Putnam claims that many Americans today are uncomfortable with diversity(Putnam 6).
Putnams article provides a multitude of evidence that suggests diversity affects people
negatively. With that evidence, Putnam urges people to work on bridging and bonding to
become a successful immigrant nation.
Putnams article includes a good deal of evidence which is an appeal to logos. His
evidence consists of surveys and samples. For example, The evidence comes from a large
nationwide survey, the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, carried out in 2000, with a
total sample size of roughly 30,000(4). This is an appeal to logos using details that came from
investigative reporting.