Postethnic America

More about the book

Amid the heated discourse on racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, this work offers a reasoned perspective on these divisive issues. David A. Hollinger, a leading intellectual historian, presents a bold proposal to address America's ethnic divisions. He argues that traditional liberal toleration of established ethnic groups is ineffective, as it fails to challenge the existing power imbalances. Conversely, the multiculturalist approach leads to fragmentation into competing ethnic enclaves focused solely on their own interests. Hollinger advocates for a new cosmopolitanism that embraces multiple identities, emphasizing cross-cultural affiliations based on consent rather than biological determinism. This vision of postethnic America serves as a reminder of the nation's universalist promise as a refuge for diverse peoples. Acknowledging the limitations of older Eurocentric universalism, Hollinger calls for a revitalized nationalism. He contends that a democratic nation-state should bridge the gap between our shared humanity and the diverse ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. We are neither a chosen people nor merely a collection of diasporas; instead, we can aspire to be "a people among peoples" in a postethnic world, fostering a democratic-cosmopolitan society that honors its ethno-racial heritages without being confined by them.