The 50% American: Immigration and National Identity in an by Stanley A. Renshon PDF

The usa is the single state on the earth that permits its electorate to carry a number of international citizenships, vote in one other nation's elections, run for or be appointed to workplace abroad, and sign up for the defense force even of a country with pursuits adverse to these of the U.S. whereas conserving their citizenship. those rules make stronger the usually already robust emotional, political, and financial ties trendy immigrants preserve to their domestic nations. but few reports have addressed what twin citizenship potential for the U.S. as a country and the combination of immigrants into the yankee nationwide neighborhood. Is it attainable to reconcile varied nationalities, cultures, and psychologies? How will we honor immigrants' feel of id with out threatening American nationwide identification? What do american citizens have a correct to anticipate of immigrants and what have they got a correct to count on of Americans?

In The 50% American political psychologist Stanley Renshon deals distinct perception into the political and nationwide ramifications of private loyalties. Arguing that the glue that binds this state jointly is a mental force—patriotism—he explains why strong emotional attachments are severe to American civic method and the way they make attainable united motion in occasions of quandary. In an age of terrorism, the concept we're all american citizens despite our transformations is greater than a credo; it's necessary to our nationwide defense. accomplished in scope, this publication examines contemporary immigration developments, tracing the assimilation method that immigrants to the U.S. endure and describing how federal, nation, and native governments have handled unstable matters reminiscent of language standards, vote casting rights, and education. Renshon turns a severe eye to the demanding situations posed during the last 4 a long time via multiculturalism, cultural clash, and international citizenship and places forth a complete concept for reforming twin citizenship and supporting immigrants and voters alike develop into extra built-in into the yankee nationwide community.