Diversity and Its Discontents : Cultural Conflict and Common Ground in Contemporary American Society

Never before has the legitimacy of a dominant American culture been so hotly contested as over the past two decades. Familiar terms such as culture wars, multiculturalism, moral majority, and family values all suggest a society fragmented by the issue of cultural diversity. So does any social solidarity exist among Americans? In __Diversity and Its Discontents,__ a group of leading sociologists, political theorists, and social historians seek to answer this question empirically by exploring ideological differences, theoretical disputes, social processes, and institutional change. Together they present a broad yet penetrating look at American life in which cultural conflict has always played a part. Many of the findings reveal that this conflict is no more or less rampant now than in the past, and that the terms of social solidarity in the United States have changed as the society itself has changed. The volume begins with reflections on the sources of the current "culture wars" and goes on to show a number of parallel situations throughout American history--some more profound than today's conflicts. The contributors identify political vicissitudes and social changes in the late twentieth century that have formed the backdrop to the "wars," including changes in immigration, marriage, family structure, urban and residential life, and expression of sexuality. Points of agreement are revealed between the left and the right in their diagnoses of American culture and society, but the essays also show how the claims of both sides have been overdrawn and polarized. The volume concludes that above all, the antagonists of the culture wars have failed to appreciate the powerful cohesive forces in Americans' outlooks and institutions, forces that have, in fact, institutionalized many of the "radical" changes proposed in the 1960s. __Diversity and Its Discontents__ brings sound empirical evidence, theoretical sophistication, and tempered judgment to a cultural episode in American history that has for too long been clouded by ideological rhetoric. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Seyla Benhabib, Jean L. Cohen, Reynolds Farley, Claude S. Fischer, Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr., John Higham, David A. Hollinger, Steven Seidman, Marta Tienda, David Tyack, R. Stephen Warner, Robert Wuthnow, and Viviana A. Zelizer.

Never before has the legitimacy of a dominant American culture been so hotly contested as over the past two decades. Familiar terms such as culture wars, multiculturalism, moral majority, and family values all suggest a society fragmented by the issue of cultural diversity. So does any social solidarity exist among Americans? In Diversity and Its Discontents, a group of leading sociologists, political theorists, and social historians seek to answer this question empirically by exploring ideological differences, theoretical disputes, social processes, and institutional change. Together they present a broad yet penetrating look at American life in which cultural conflict has always played a part. Many of the findings reveal that this conflict is no more or less rampant now than in the past, and that the terms of social solidarity in the United States have changed as the society itself has changed.

The volume begins with reflections on the sources of the current "culture wars" and goes on to show a number of parallel situations throughout American history—some more profound than today's conflicts. The contributors identify political vicissitudes and social changes in the late twentieth century that have formed the backdrop to the "wars," including changes in immigration, marriage, family structure, urban and residential life, and expression of sexuality. Points of agreement are revealed between the left and the right in their diagnoses of American culture and society, but the essays also show how the claims of both sides have been overdrawn and polarized. The volume concludes that above all, the antagonists of the culture wars have failed to appreciate the powerful cohesive forces in Americans' outlooks and institutions, forces that have, in fact, institutionalized many of the "radical" changes proposed in the 1960s. Diversity and Its Discontents brings sound empirical evidence, theoretical sophistication, and tempered judgment to a cultural episode in American history that has for too long been clouded by ideological rhetoric.

In addition to the editors, the contributors are Seyla Benhabib, Jean L. Cohen, Reynolds Farley, Claude S. Fischer, Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr., John Higham, David A. Hollinger, Steven Seidman, Marta Tienda, David Tyack, R. Stephen Warner, Robert Wuthnow, and Viviana A. Zelizer.

Never before has the legitimacy of a dominant American culture been so hotly contested as over the past two decades. Familiar terms such as culture wars, multiculturalism, moral majority, and family values all suggest a society fragmented by the issue of cultural diversity. So does any social solidarity exist among Americans? In Diversity and Its Discontents, a group of leading sociologists, political theorists, and social historians seek to answer this question empirically by exploring ideological differences, theoretical disputes, social processes, and institutional change. Together they present a broad yet penetrating look at American life in which cultural conflict has always played a part. Many of the findings reveal that this conflict is no more or less rampant now than in the past, and that the terms of social solidarity in the United States have changed as the society itself has changed.The volume begins with reflections on the sources of the current "culture wars" and goes on to show a number of parallel situations throughout American history -- some more profound than today's conflicts. The contributors identify political vicissitudes and social changes in the late-twentieth century that have formed the backdrop to the "wars, " including changes in immigration, marriage, family structure, urban and residential life, and expression of sexuality. Points of agreement are revealed between the left and the right in their diagnoses of American culture and society, but the essays also show how the claims of both sides have been overdrawn and polarized. The volume concludes that above all, the antagonists of the culture wars have failed to appreciate the powerful cohesive forces inAmericans' outlooks and institutions, forces that have, in fact, institutionalized many of the "radical" changes proposed in the 1960s. Diversity and Its Discontents brings sound empirical evidence, theoretical sophistication, and tempered judgment to a cultural episode in American history that has for too long been clouded by ideological rhetoric. Sociologists, political theorists, and social historians explore ideological differences, theoretical disputes, social processes, and institutional change related to cultural conflict and social solidarity in the United States. The essays are: (1) "Introduction: The Ideological Discourses of Cultural Discontent. Paradoxes, Realities, and Alternative Ways of Thinking" (Jeffrey C. Alexander and Neil J. Smelser); (2) "The Culture of Discontent: Democratic Liberalism and the Challenge of Diversity in Late Twentieth-Century America" (Robert Wuthnow); (3) "Cultural Responses to Immigration" (John Higham); (4) "Preserving the Republic by Educating Republicans" (David Tyack); (5) "Racial Issues: Recent Trends in Residential Patterns and Intermarriage" (Reynolds Farley); (6) "Immigration, Opportunity, and Social Cohesion" (Marta Tienda); (7) "Family Change and Family Diversity" (Frank Furstenberg, Jr.); (8) "Contesting the Moral Boundaries of Eros: A Perspective on the Cultural Politics of Sexuality in the Late-Twentieth-Century United States" (Steven Seidman); (9) "Multiple Markets: Multiple Cultures" (Vivianna A. Zelizer); (10) "Uncommon Values, Diversity, and Conflict in City Life" (Claude S. Fischer); (11) "Changes in the Civic Role of Religion" (R. Stephen Warner); (12) "National Culture and Communities of Descent" (David A. Hollinger); (13) "Does Voluntary Association Make Democracy Work?" (Jean L. Cohen); and (14) "Civil Society and the Politics of Identity and Difference in a Global Context" (Seyla Benhabib). Each essay contains references. (SLD) This Work Asks The Question: Does Any Social Solidarity Exist Among Americans? A Group Of Sociologists, Political Theorists, And Social Historians Explores Ideological Differences, Theoretical Disputes, Social Processes And Institutional Change. The Ideological Discourse Of Cultural Discontent : Paradoxes, Realities, And Alternative Ways Of Thinking / Jeffrey C. Alexander And Neil J. Smelser -- The Culture Of Discontent : Democratic Liberalism And The Challenge Of Diversity In Late Twentieth-century America / Robert Wuthnow -- Cultural Responses To Immigration / John Higham -- Preserving The Republic By Educating Republicans / David Tyack -- Racial Issues : Recent Trends In Residential Patterns And Intermarriage / Reynolds Farley -- Immigration, Opportunity, And Social Cohesion / Marta Tienda -- Family Change And Family Diversity / Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr. -- Contesting The Moral Boundaries Of Eros : A Perspective On The Cultural Politics Of Sexuality In The Late Twentieth-century United States / Steven Seidman -- Multiple Markets : Multiple Cultures / Viviana A Zelizer -- Uncommon Values, Diversity And Conflict In City Life / Claude S. Fischer -- Changes In The Civic Role Of Religion / R. Stephen Warner. National Culture And Communities Of Descent / David A. Hollinger -- Does Voluntary Association Make Democracy Work? / Jean L. Cohen -- Civil Society And The Politics Of Identity And Difference In A Global Context / Seyla Benhabib. Edited By Neil J. Smelser And Jeffrey C. Alexander. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.