Americans
An examination of Walzer's views of American pluralism and exceptionalism. As one might deduce from the writings of Michael Walzer in his text What it means to be an American, the American identity - in political, social, historical and cultural regards - is a highly complex and almost mystifying phenomenon. The character of the United States of America is one of diversity; a multiplicity of cultures abound in its cities, interact in communities, exchange values and beliefs and work side by side. Though the populist notion of America as the metaphorical melting pot remains a rigourously argued point of contention, Walzer believes in the plurality of America. It is not a single homogeneity; it represents something far greater and vastly more unique than most people, academics included, wish to attribute it. Walzer seems to believe strongly in the compatibility of pluralism with national unity. Despite the presence of hundreds of diverse ethnic groups, accounting for the general and voting public, the likelihood of a state maintaining its internal and territorial integrity is nevertheless very high. Reflecting on the experience of past decades, according to Walzer, "one can reasonably argue t
America's exceptionalism can also be seen in its pseudo-confederal organization that reflects more a union of "nations, races and religions, all of them dispersed and inter-mixed" rather than a literal "United States", which the Europeans are far closer to achieving, as it were. The plurality is maintained by facets of integration and not assimilation, as these people have become Americans by choice and are Americans "only by virtue of having come together. The pluralism of identities is of paramount importance. [meaning] nationality and ethnicity never acquired a stable territorial base. Put succinctly, "politics must still create the national unity it was once thought merely to mirror. This pluralism is not merely a matter of multi-ethnicity, it is also a matter of political expression and understanding. As the motto reads, E pluribus unum - from many, one. Perhaps, then, it is wise to understand American pluralism in the context of American exceptionalism - why is the United States of America so special? What makes it exceptional, other than its shear enormity in size, population, economic and military power? To begin with, Marxist theory and Leninist practice suggest that, as Walzer notes, "pluralism in the strong sense - One state, mane peoples - is possible only under tyrannical regimes"; however, clearly, the "great exception to this rule is the United States". Ultimately, the practice of pluralism is not as simple as to theorize its existence or to imagine its implications.
Common topics in this essay:
United America,
Walzer Americans,
Firstly Walzer,
United United,
July Constitution,
France England,
According Walzer,
Reminders American,
Montesquieuean Rousseauean,
American American,
american pluralism,
united america,
according walzer,
means american,
ethnic pluralism,
american nationality,
national unity,
perspective american,
expand solidarity,
walzer americans,
|
Acceptance Essays
