Others have claimed that nativist, racist, and sexist traditions have been marginal or that they are purely products of capitalist institutions. In contrast, Smith's pathbreaking account explains why these traditions have been central to American political and economic life. He shows that in the politics of nation building, principles of democracy and liberty have often failed to foster a sense of shared "peoplehood" and have instead led many Americans to claim that they are a "chosen people", a "master race" or superior culture, with distinctive gender roles. Smith concludes that today the United States is in a period of reaction against the egalitarian civic reforms of the last generation, with nativist, racist, and sexist beliefs regaining influence. He suggests ways that proponents of liberal democracy should alter their view of U.S. citizenship in order to combat thesedevelopments more effectively.
"An important and original argument that ranges through a long period of American history and makes a major contribution to the debate about the bases of American nationality and civic identity". -- Eric Foner, Columbia University
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Others have claimed that nativist, racist, and sexist traditions have been marginal or that they are purely products of capitalist institutions. In contrast, Smith's pathbreaking account explains why these traditions have been central to American political and economic life. He shows that in the politics of nation building, principles of democracy and liberty have often failed to foster a sense of shared "peoplehood" and have instead led many Americans to claim that they are a "chosen people", a "master race" or superior culture, with distinctive gender roles. Smith concludes that today the United States is in a period of reaction against the egalitarian civic reforms of the last generation, with nativist, racist, and sexist beliefs regaining influence. He suggests ways that proponents of liberal democracy should alter their view of U.S. citizenship in order to combat thesedevelopments more effectively.
"An important and original argument that ranges through a long period of American history and makes a major contribution to the debate about the bases of American nationality and civic identity". -- Eric Foner, Columbia University
Imprint | Yale University Press |
Country of origin | United States |
Series | The Institution for Social and Policy Studies |
Release date | April 1999 |
Availability | Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available. |
First published | April 1999 |
Authors | Rogers M Smith |
Dimensions | 235 x 156 x 47mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Paperback - Trade |
Pages | 736 |
Edition | New Ed |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-300-07877-0 |
Barcode | 9780300078770 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-300-07877-3 |