Deborah J. Schildkraut is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. She is also the author of Press “One” for English: Language Policy, Public Opinion, and American Identity.

“Ever since the country’s founding, Americans have faced the challenge of juggling their American identities with their own distinctive national or ethnic identities. Demographic shifts over the last quarter century have made this much more complex – citizens find themselves in more heterogeneous settings that sometimes accentuate a common American identity but other times stir up resentment and discrimination against specific groups. Schildkraut’s book masterfully explores how Americans contend with these competing forces; it is a seminal contribution to our basic understanding of identity and what it means to be an American in the 21st century.” —James N. Druckman, Northwestern University

• 1. Introduction; 2. The 21st century Americanism survey; 3. Defining American identity in the 21st century; 4. Policy implications of multidimensional Americanism; 5. The myths and realities of identity prioritization; 6. Does 'becoming American' create a 'better' American?; 7. Immigrant resentment: when the work ethic backfires; 8. The politics of American identity.

Deborah J. Schildkraut is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. She is also the author of Press “One” for English: Language Policy, Public Opinion, and American Identity.

“Ever since the country’s founding, Americans have faced the challenge of juggling their American identities with their own distinctive national or ethnic identities. Demographic shifts over the last quarter century have made this much more complex – citizens find themselves in more heterogeneous settings that sometimes accentuate a common American identity but other times stir up resentment and discrimination against specific groups. Schildkraut’s book masterfully explores how Americans contend with these competing forces; it is a seminal contribution to our basic understanding of identity and what it means to be an American in the 21st century.” —James N. Druckman, Northwestern University

• 1. Introduction; 2. The 21st century Americanism survey; 3. Defining American identity in the 21st century; 4. Policy implications of multidimensional Americanism; 5. The myths and realities of identity prioritization; 6. Does 'becoming American' create a 'better' American?; 7. Immigrant resentment: when the work ethic backfires; 8. The politics of American identity.