American Minimalism: Why No Robust Account of National Identity Is Possible—or Desirable
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Description
The challenge posed to the contributors in this volume is to find a way, any way, perhaps, to patch up the frayed fabric of Americans’ shared national identity. The task is said to be critical, because the inability to meet the “arduous task of weaving a new national narrative in which all Americans can see themselves” could leave the nation vulnerable and adrift in perilous times. But can this be done? Not in my view, unless we engage in what I call American minimalism—a conscious reduction of the set of issues that we think are truly best handled as a nation and not better addressed by smaller subnational groups: states, local governments, and, most importantly, all sorts of smaller private organizations that are free to choose as they please in setting their own membership and mission.
Source Publication
Our American Story: The Search for a Shared National Narrative
Source Editors/Authors
Joshua A. Claybourn
Publication Date
2019
Recommended Citation
Epstein, Richard A., "American Minimalism: Why No Robust Account of National Identity Is Possible—or Desirable" (2019). Faculty Chapters. 359.
https://gretchen.law.nyu.edu/fac-chapt/359
