America's midlife crisis : the future of a troubled superpower

Something has happened to the fundamental nature of American culture...a midlife crisis.Recently observers have noted a seismic shift far beyond normal cyclic changes in culture and trends in America. Following September 11, the United States, no longer confident in the protection of two vast oceans, a powerful military structure and a dominant economy, developed policies and practices that exclude foreigners and seem to violate basic civil rights guaranteed under the Constitution. After decades of the ebb and flow of isolationism and expansionism, the US took a rigid new tack that hasn't been reversed yet.What's happening in America? And more importantly, why? America's Midlife Crisis examines the history and culture of the country at a crucial point in its development. From immigration to industry to world influence, this book captures the values, beliefs and behaviors of an increasingly complex society that is struggling to carve out its place in a new world order.ContentsIntroduction1 American National Culture: A Matter of Culture and History2 What is the American Culture and What is a Typical American?3 Melting Pots to Mosaics: Race and Immigration4 From John Winthrop to John Wayne: Exceptionalism, Self-Reliance, and Cowboy Values5 Don't Just Stand There, Do Something!6 American Civic Culture7 Prosperity at Home, Prestige Abroad: Foreign Policy8 What Holds America Together Also Tears it Apart9 A National Midlife Crisis? Where Do We Go from Here?BibliographyIndex "In this era of spin and hyperbole, it is refreshing to read such a calm, insightful and cogent analysis of this critical period of our history." - Harriet Fulbright, president of The J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center America's Midlife Crisis examines the culture of America at a crucial point in its history and development. Along the way something happened to the fundimental nature of American a midlife crisis. From the founding of the republic through the many conflicts over the years, from the Puritan roots to recent waves of immigration, from race to religion. America's Midlife Crisis examines the values, beliefs and behavior of an increasingly complex society that is struggling with its place in the new world order. There has been a seismic shift, far beyond normal cyclic changes, in cultural and political trends in the United States. Following 9/11 - no longer as confident in the protection of two vast oceans, a powerful military structure and a dominant economy - the U.S. government instituted policies and practices that have produced results exactly opposite of what was intended. Rather than making America safer, they have generated great consternantion about its intentions, further enraging America's critics and confusing and alienating its longtime allies. America's Midlife Crisis shows how a superpower got to this point and what this midlife crisis means for the nation's future. "America's Midlife Crisis examines the culture of America at a crucial point in its history and development. Along the way something happened to the fundamental nature of American culture: a midlife crisis. From the founding of the republic through the many conflicts over the years, from the Puritan roots to recent waves of immigration, from race to religion, America's Midlife Crisis examines the values, beliefs and behavior of an increasingly complex society that is struggling with its place in 1 the new world order." "There has been a seismic shift, far beyond normal cyclic changes, in cultural and political trends in the United States. Following 9/11 - no longer as confident in the protection of two vast oceans, a powerful military structure and a dominant economy - the U.S. government instituted polities and practices that have produced results exactly opposite of what was intended. Rather than making America safer, they have generated great consternation about its intentions, further enraging America's critics and confusing and alienating its longtime allies. America's Midlife Crisis shows how a superpower got to this point and what this midlife crisis means for the nation's future."--Jacket