The European awareness of America is based on old concepts and images. America was always seen as an “offspring” (PRISCHING 2003, S. 3) of Europe, so its perception is not focused on religious and political differences. The mistake within the European opinion is to underestimate the differences between Europe and America concerning the founding myths, the evolution of mentality, the economic and everyday culture and values and beliefs. But America keeps its own traditional attitude towards Europe as well. Besides mutual stereotypes and incongruent images there is a lack of awareness of semantic differences: In both cultures terms like moral good, justice or liberty look like the same but do not mean the same, although this obviously seems to be expected. To develop these expectations this paper aims to give a better understanding of the American identity by providing an overview of the background of American values – and answering the question: What is the American self?
The first chapter defines basic terms, which are the prerequisites and tools for this paper, shows distinctness and examples of distinct American values. The second part tries to give insight into the origins, history and evolution – the ‘where … from?’ – of the American identity by portraying the characteristics of selected American values. The last chapter will provide a conclusion on the current development of the American self-understanding and ideas about the future – the ‘where to?’ of the American self. But this ‘identification’ is based on my own – European or German – point of view as a part of the European or German ‘collective mind’, so that the following conclusions are not drawn on an objective selection of facts. This is an abstraction, neither I will not try to provide a complete overview of what I call ‘American values’ nor to discuss the conception of ‘identity’ scientifically but rather try to clear a path to a better understanding of American behavior and mentality.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The American Identity - Mosaic of Values and Beliefs
- The Origins of American Self
- Where Does America Go?
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to enhance understanding of the American identity by exploring the historical background of American values and addressing the question: What is the American self? It analyzes the divergence in perceptions of "moral truths" between the US and Germany, particularly concerning the justification of war. The analysis is from a European perspective, acknowledging inherent limitations in objectivity.
- The definition and evolution of American values.
- The concept of American exceptionalism and its influence on national identity.
- The role of the "American Dream" in shaping societal ideals.
- Contrasting perspectives on morality and the justification of war between the US and Germany.
- The ongoing development of American self-understanding.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the premise of the paper, highlighting the discrepancy between European perceptions of America and the reality of American values and beliefs. It uses the contrasting responses of American and German intellectuals to the justification of the war on terror as a central example of this misunderstanding. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper exploration of American identity by focusing on defining key terms and presenting distinct American values, while outlining the paper's structure and methodology.
The American Identity – Mosaic of Values and Beliefs: This chapter delves into the core values that contribute to the American identity. It emphasizes the concept of "American exceptionalism," the belief in the unique and superior nature of the United States, stemming from its founding myths and historical development. The chapter explores how this belief in exceptionalism leads to a strong sense of moral superiority and influences political and religious culture. The chapter also explains how the American Dream, the ideal of social mobility and individual achievement, intertwines with the values of individualism, equality, and consumerism, fostering a distinctive national self-image.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American identity, American exceptionalism, American values, American Dream, moral truths, just war theory, national identity, cultural differences, US-German relations, self-understanding, individualism, consumerism, political culture, religious culture.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall topic of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on understanding the American identity by examining its historical development, core values, and contrasting perceptions, particularly in comparison to Germany. It explores the complexities of American exceptionalism, the American Dream, and differing views on morality and the justification of war.
What are the main sections included in this preview?
The preview provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. This allows for a thorough understanding of the paper's scope and content before reading the full text.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the definition and evolution of American values, the concept of American exceptionalism and its influence, the role of the American Dream, contrasting perspectives on morality and the justification of war between the US and Germany, and the ongoing development of American self-understanding.
What is the chapter "The American Identity – Mosaic of Values and Beliefs" about?
This chapter examines core American values, emphasizing American exceptionalism and its impact on national identity. It explores how this belief in exceptionalism contributes to a sense of moral superiority and influences political and religious culture. The chapter also analyzes the interplay between the American Dream and values like individualism, equality, and consumerism in shaping the national self-image.
What does the introduction chapter cover?
The introduction establishes the paper's premise by highlighting the discrepancy between European and American perspectives on values and beliefs. It uses contrasting responses to the justification of the war on terror as a central example. The chapter defines key terms, outlines distinct American values, and details the paper's structure and methodology.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include American identity, American exceptionalism, American values, American Dream, moral truths, just war theory, national identity, cultural differences, US-German relations, self-understanding, individualism, consumerism, political culture, and religious culture.
What is the objective of this academic paper?
The paper aims to improve understanding of the American identity by exploring its historical background, values, and the question of "What is the American self?" It analyzes differing perceptions of "moral truths" between the US and Germany, particularly concerning the justification of war, from a European perspective.
What is the methodology used in this paper?
While not explicitly detailed in the preview, the introduction mentions the paper outlines its methodology. The analysis is explicitly stated to be from a European perspective, acknowledging the inherent limitations in achieving complete objectivity.
- Citar trabajo
- Christian Bacher (Autor), 2004, The American Identity and Self-Understanding, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/29312
