Preface

The preface to this book makes reference to two previous editions, published in 1988 and 2003, and remarks that there have been shifts in American culture along the way. The present era finds America embroiled in conflict in the middle-east, an economic downturn, and significant shifts in demographics (aging population, increasingly diverse population, etc.)

But these matters aside, there are essential qualities of American culture that persevere. A quote from another cultural observer indicates that "what seemed socially distinctive about America in the eighteenth century still seems distinctive in the twenty-first." Certain qualities of American culture remain intact: an emphasis on individualism, voluntarism, material progress, religiosity, faith in science, and an emphasis on personal liberty.

Of particular importance is that American culture has taken more of a multicultural and egalitarian bent. It's evident in the caution Americans exhibit when choosing words that refer to race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. This reflects on the value of individualism, but is suggested to denote a weakening of the negative enforcement of norms or at least a tolerance for greater cultural diversity.

Along those lines, the author notes the expression "American" is objectionable to some - as there are many nations and cultures on the continents of North and South America. Even so, the term "American" is used to mean U.S. Americans, as members of other nations and cultures seldom identify themselves as "American."

And finally, given that culture is varied, even within America, any attempt to define "American culture" is by nature a generalization which must be understood as such. The culture varies from place to place, and will continue to evolve as time passes. As such, readers are encouraged to consider what is offered herein, but to compare it from their own observations.