The 50% American
Immigration and National Identity in an Age of Terror

Is it possible to reconcile two different nationalities, cultures, and psychologies? And what do Americans have a right to expect of immigrants and what do they have a right to expect of Americans? This title offers insight into the political and national ramifications of personal loyalties.

Arguing that the glue that binds this country together is a psychological force - patriotism - he explains why powerful emotional attachments are critical to American civic process and how they make possible united action in times of crisis. In an age of terrorism, the idea that we are all Americans regardless of our differences is more than a credo; it is essential to our national security. Comprehensive in scope, this book examines recent immigration trends, tracing the assimilation process that immigrants to the United States undergo and describing how federal, state, and local governments have dealt with volatile issues such as language requirements, voting rights, and schooling. Renshon turns a critical eye to the challenges posed over the past four decades by multiculturalism, cultural conflict, and global citizenship and puts forth a comprehensive proposal for reforming dual citizenship and helping immigrants and citizens alike become more integrated into the American national community.

Prologue Introduction
1 American Democracy and the Dilemmas of Dual Citizenship
Part I. American National Identity: The Framework
2 The Search for the Missing Link
3 A Theory of American National Identity
Part II. Domestic Challenges to American National Identity
4 Multiculturalism and National Identity
5 Hyphenation and National Identity
Part III. Global Challenges to American National Identity

6 Transnationalism and National Identity
7 Why Not a Transnational American Identity?
Part IV. The Development of National Identity

8 Do Multiple National Attachments Equal Conflicted National Loyalties?

9 Reforming Dual Citizenship: Some Proposals
10 Becoming American: Some Proposals
Epilogue
Appendix: Countries and Territories Allowing Dual Citizenship in Some Form
Index