Stories Of Peoplehood: The Politics And Morals Of Political Membership (contemporary Political Theory)
by Rogers M. Smith /
2003 / English / PDF
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How is a sense of belonging to a political community created?
Rogers Smith suggests that Stories of Peoplehood, narratives which
include racial, religious, ethnic and cultural elements, serve to
make membership of a political group part of an individual's
identity. He argues that competition over accounts of a nation's
history and culture is thus an important part of political life.
Examples from around the world since the 18th century are included.
In particular, Smith traces the history of competing conceptions of
national identity and citizenship in the United States from the
revolution to the present day, showing the tension between liberal
and egalitarian ideals, and traditions of racism and chauvinism.
Combining theory with rich historical detail, Smith's book is an
original and provocative account of how national identity is
forged. Rogers M. Smith is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished
Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
Smith centers his research on contitutional law, American political
thought, and modern legal and political theory, with special
interests in questions of citizenship, race, ethnicity and gender.
His previous books include, Civic Ideals: Conflicting Visions of
Citizenship in U.S. History (Yale, 1997) and Liberalism and
American Constitutional Law (Harvard, 1985).
How is a sense of belonging to a political community created?
Rogers Smith suggests that Stories of Peoplehood, narratives which
include racial, religious, ethnic and cultural elements, serve to
make membership of a political group part of an individual's
identity. He argues that competition over accounts of a nation's
history and culture is thus an important part of political life.
Examples from around the world since the 18th century are included.
In particular, Smith traces the history of competing conceptions of
national identity and citizenship in the United States from the
revolution to the present day, showing the tension between liberal
and egalitarian ideals, and traditions of racism and chauvinism.
Combining theory with rich historical detail, Smith's book is an
original and provocative account of how national identity is
forged. Rogers M. Smith is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished
Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
Smith centers his research on contitutional law, American political
thought, and modern legal and political theory, with special
interests in questions of citizenship, race, ethnicity and gender.
His previous books include, Civic Ideals: Conflicting Visions of
Citizenship in U.S. History (Yale, 1997) and Liberalism and
American Constitutional Law (Harvard, 1985).
