THE AMERICAN IDENTITY

To define identity, we should answer the question of "who are we?" do we define it by referring to our religion? Nationality? Ethnicity? Race? Gender? Or etc. However, what has gained significance in terms of identity in the modern era is "nation-state".

Due to the ideological questions brought by modernism and post-modernism and the new circumstances of living regarding mass migration and expansion of communications, "identity" has turned to one of the most challenging issues of the day. However, the problem is much deeper for America. As America is basically shaped through migrations and immigrations, there's no classic bondage to form one identity for it.
There are three major theories to explain American identity. First the melting pot, the traditional view that different people would come to the scene of America and get absorbs in its whole. This theory is rejected as many people did not match themselves with the mainstream. Second, is the salad bar. Here, multiculturalism gets possible but the continuity of unity is endangered. Finally, the stew is proposed. In this theory all the particulars exist but the compound exists as well.

By the way, Huntington in his book "WHO ARE WE?" says that the basis for American identity has been 1) Christianity (protestant ethics), 2) Anglo-Saxon laws, 3) good opportunity for everybody. He believes that immigration that has brought people from around the world to America is weakening these primary elements which once were the founding reasons for the formation of America.

Weisskirch in his paper, "Ethnicity and perceptions of being a typical American…" says that "the view of who are an American and what is considered American is rapidly evolving". By referring to Citrin, Reingold, & Green, he explains that the national identity of American emerges because of the perceived commonalities of the members that there are some unique characteristics in being American, regardless of origin". According to Dr. Hosseini, there is an "American Idea" to which great commitment is hold and forms the core elements of American nation.