WHO ARE WE

Who Are We? The Challenges To America's National Identity



Who Are We? The Challenges To America's National Identity

Introduction

The most recent book of Samuel P. Huntington, dedicated to defining American identity, interested, above all, as symptoms. It is indicative of a climate dominant opinion among the conservative in that country the world thinks in terms rigid societal identities, opposed enemies. The most notable and best known is the construction of a stereotype Islam as an enemy of the West. Huntington's book, in a dangerous turn, look for the enemy at home, specifically in the Latin American immigrants and especially Mexicans are as its argument, inassimilable and thus, represent a security threat the United States (Michael, 2001). It will always be a confusing issue, discussed, unwieldy, not because it is more complex than others. Professor Samuel P. Huntington has contributed to the cultural climate of recent years especially with an expression that has made a fortune. Throughout his distinguished scientific career, Samuel Huntington has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to realism.

Huntington's book contains many examples of indisputable thinking, classic of his previous works. He rightly points out the differences between immigration from Mexico in 1965 after the previous wave: the country where migrants come is very close, in terms of numbers there are more in areas where immigrants prefer to settle, there are already many Mexican-American community, but addition, signs of recession this immigration wave is observed. In addition, it exposes the hard analysis of the effects of trade-offs associated with the process of immigration, arguing in particular that bilingualism may become an obstacle to the success of migrants, and dual citizenship - the solution is very problematic, given how few Americans even perform duties related to citizenship of their own country. In addition, Huntington has convincingly shown that ordinary Americans have different nationalism than liberal elites: if today a referendum on this issue, most people would support strong and effective compliance with the principle of inviolability of borders and the introduction of strict criteria for the granting of American citizenship. In Huntington's analysis has no place lively, politically correct rhetoric - is it for the readers must be grateful to him (Peter, 2006). At the same time, 'Who are we?' is significant and often presented in very disturbing way, different from previous works of Huntington. Realism, which is characteristic for most of his books, he disappeared without a trace, "Who are we? ' full of that same passion for moralizing - often bordering on hysteria - that Huntington evoked such anxiety in 'American political life.

Huntington believes in the existence of a core of American identity defined by the 'sectarian' Anglo-Protestantism. In the past, all immigrants (the first Americans, he said, were not immigrants and settlers) were prepared to accept this identity. However, many of those arriving in the country today, says Huntington, refuse to share American cultural identity, and even condemn it as a crime. He warns that if the United States will not be able to insist that they ...