The Liberty of Strangers: Making the American Nation [Paperback]

Desmond King (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195306430 | ISBN-13: 978-0195306439 | Publication Date: January 19, 2006

Spanning the entire twentieth century and encompassing immigration policies, the nationalistic fallout from both world wars, the civil rights movement, and nation-building efforts in the postcolonial era, The Liberty of Strangers advances a major new interpretation of American nationalism and the future prospects for diverse democracies. Tracing how Americans have confronted and relinquished, but mostly clung to group identities over the past century, Desmond King here debunks one of the guiding assumptions of American nationhood, namely that group distinction and identification would gradually dissolve over time, creating a "postethnic" nation. The divisions in American society have consistently proven themselves too strong to dissolve and, for better or for worse, the often-disparaged politics of multiculturalism are here to stay, with profound implications for America's democracy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"King provides an eye-opening account of how in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, a hierarchical categorization of races was part and parcel of the Progressive Movement...a valuable resource for historians and political scientists teaching courses on ethnic, racial, and mulitcultural relations...a valuable contribution by juxtaposing his narrative regarding group categories to the conventional one of individualism."--Perspectives on Politics

"The Liberty of Strangers is an incisive and significant contribution to the study of American identity. As important, it offers insights and perspectives on the problems and possibilities faced by all multiethnic democracies. It deserves an international readership." --Times Higher Education Supplement

"The Liberty of Strangers advances a major new interpretation of American nationalism and the future prospects for diverse democracies."--History Today

From the Publisher

"The Liberty of Strangers is an incisive and significant contribution to the study of American identity. As important, it offers insights and perspectives on the problems and possibilities faced by all multiethnic democracies. It deserves an international readership."
-Times Higher Education Supplement --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195306430
• ISBN-13: 978-0195306439
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,818,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.