WHAT IS “WE” IN ITS AMERICAN MIND AND MEANING?

“WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES”, these familiar words are the opening and words of the Constitution of the United States of America. To answer who these “we” are we have to find out who “Americans “are or simply put figuring out what it’s like to be an American and what American identity is. On the other hand we have to discover the core elements of the American identity. Identity could be defined as "a sense of self that develops as the child differentiates from parents and family and takes a place in society."  The important sources of this identity are nationality, ethnicity, gender and class. In short the source of national identity of any country lies in its history, language, religion and other social backgrounds which bind people of a nation together. Language can be one core element of national identity and at the same time one of the most important of them. As journalist Michael Lind argues in his critique of multiculturalism, 'Of all the elements of a national culture, language is by far the most important' (Lind, 1995, p. 264). According to Samuel Huntington English culture is a key component of American identity. So English culture brings with itself English language. Many recent academic publications in American cultural studies share the premise that 'Nations are not born, but made. And they are made, ineluctably, in language' (Looby, 1996, p. 1)"(3). Morrow believes that "English, as the common language, is the instrument that reconciles differences of race, ethnicity, creed, and national origin and thus creates a common culture and common values."

Of all elements of American national identity, undoubtedly Liberalism is the one which Americans are known with around the world. For many people Americanism is equal to Liberalism and at the same time Liberalism equals to Americanism. Simply put liberalism is widely seen as the defining essence of American political culture (Hartz 1955). It stresses minimal government intervention in private life and promotes economic and political freedoms along with equality of opportunity. Countless studies have documented its enduring influence over elites, masses, and institutions (e.g., Citrin, Haas, Muste, and Reingold 1994; Feldman 1988; Lipset 1963; McClosky and Zaller 1984).accordingly it means that individuals and group members respect the laws and the institutions of the US. Apart, they pursue blessings and economic success through hard working. Letting people to speak out and express their ideas or to practice their religious affairs freely is part of liberalism which is highly respected in American society and culture.

Ethnoculturalism has also been a defining element of American identity which sets rigid boundaries on group membership. In its extreme, Ethnoculturalism maintains that Americans are white, English-speaking Protestants of northern European ancestry (Smith 1997).although since 9/11 there has been debates among elites and people as well to put some restrictions on full range of citizenship rights to people of certain ethnic and cultural groups. According to Huntington Protestantism is a crucial component of American identity. Most Americans are Christian and majorly they are Protestant 56 %.  And more than 83 % of them are white. (2009 data).

Other conception of American is Civic republicanism that emphasizes the responsibilities, rather than the rights of citizenship. It advances the notion that the well being of the community is more than just the sum of individualistic pursuits of private gain. Rather, a vibrant self-governing community needs individual members to act on its behalf (Banning 1986; Held 1996). In this view, we should all be involved in social and political life and pursue ends that serve the public good. As Tocqueville noted, pursuing the public good engenders pride and patriotism, which further motivate people to “labor for the good of the state” (1835 [1990, 243]). Indeed, seeing oneself and the political community as inseparable is a key part of the civic republican ideal (Dagger 1997; Petit 1997). Mainly this concept could easily be understood by large range of voluntarism in the US. Nearly 27% of Americans participated in voluntarily activities in 2007 which is higher than Europe and many countries around the world.

Hello, Hola, Shalom, Conichua, Calimera, Merjaba, Bon Giorno, Bon Jour and Anyounghaseo. These are just an example of some of the many languages spoken in America. Diversity is America. It is believe that Americans welcome people from around the world with open arms. The United States has been the country of the immigrants. Since its existence in 17^th century large number of people from different parts of the world has moved to the US. They have been assimilated with the culture and the values of the American society. When they came to America, they were considered and treated as one thing and that is American. When they arrived there they started to melt into a pot called diversity. Surprisingly, although there is a wide range of culture, ethnicity and diversity, at the same time they are united. Unity and diversity could be defined as the other conceptions of American identity. Hector St. John de Crevecouer in his book, "letters from an American Farmer" (1782), mentioned that "I can indicate a family that their grandfather is from England with Poland's woman, his son got married with a French girl, and their four sons got married with four diverse nations. He is an American, who left his traditional behaviors and prejudices, and choused new behaviors and ideas. These treatments, ideas originate from new way of life, government, and social positions. Here, individuals from any nations melting within a new race that in future their attempts will bring important changes in globe". This basic and fundamental concept is known as “melting pot” in which various nationalities are assimilated.

 The Wars of Independence 1776-1783 led to American independency from Britain. It was first successful anti-colonial attempt in modern history. Founding Fathers built a nation that had not the common, conventional pre- conditions of nation-building. United States had not natural territory, history with unique religion versus European countries. There weren't Narrative, ancient poem, folklores, and forefathers of one race. And apart they are known as the first democratic nation in the modern history. All of these built the concept of “exceptionalism” in which it manifests that they are the “chosen nation” in the world. By exceptionalism they mean to be different and superior to others, and defining a mission to be supportive to the rest.

In conclusion American identity elements could be specified as individualism, liberalism, diversity and unity and exceptionalism this is the answer to who this “we” in the constitution of the US is. The “we”, throughout the history of the US has been broadening in meaning and concept this is because identities change and evolve as well.