On American Identity Politics: Theoretical Origins, Real-World Impacts, and Fundamental Reflections

Lin Luo

doi:10.54097/f5p1y572

Authors

Lin Luo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/f5p1y572

Keywords:

Identity politics, political identity, civic politics.

Abstract

Identity politics, with its profound theoretical origins, emerged from the margins of the political spectrum to center stage through the social movements of 1960s’ America. As a critical component of the U.S. political landscape, it has exerted increasing influence on society—eroding the once-prized social consensus and cohesion, transforming the political culture, and concurrently challenging the institutional framework of American governance. At its core, American identity politics represents a form of "pseudo-politics" lacking a shared political vision: domestically, it serves as a mechanism to divert attention from structural societal contradictions, while internationally, it functions as a tool for shaping and controlling the international order. Whether this political paradigm can transcend its current dilemmas and chart a sustainable trajectory remains to be seen through the lens of historical development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] He Tao. "Pseudo-Politics of Extreme Individualism: Mark Lilla's Critique of Contemporary American Identity Politics". Global Theory Trends.2020, No.6, p. 75–83.

[2] Zhao Dingqi. "The Dilemma of Identity Politics and the Rise of Right-Wing Populism: Crisis and Reflection on Western Identity Politics". Contemporary World and Socialism. 2020, No. 5,p.112–119.

[3] Wang Hui and Chen Yangu (eds.). Culture and the Public Sphere . Sanlian Shudian, 1998.

[4] Francis Fukuyama. Identity Politics: The Struggle for Dignity and Identity . China Translation and Publishing House, 2021.

[5] Liao Yulin, Jin Chengzhi. "The Realistic Background and Theoretical Dilemmas of Identity Politics" . Journal of Pingxiang University, 2022, No.2, p.16–19.

[6] Wang Yue. "The Theoretical Logic of Identity Politics" . Academics, 2018, No.3,p. 85–95+276.

[7] Zou Weihua. A Study of Stuart Hall's Cultural Theory . Beijing: China Social Sciences Press, 2014.

[8] Zhang Aijun, Zhang Weiwei. "Constructing Interactive Ritual Chains: Exploring the Political Communication Mode and Risk Regulation of Slow Live Streaming" . Changbai Journal, 2024, No.4, p45–57.

[9] Liu Huiying. "A Cultural Analysis of Erikson's Theory of Ego Identity" . Social Sciences Journal, 2002, No.3, p.55–59.

[10] Chen Yongguo. "Identity and the Politics of Literature" . Journal of Tsinghua University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 2016, No.6, p.22–31+192.

[11] Lin Hong. "Identity Politics and National Identity: America's Dilemma and Response in the Era of Economic Globalization" . Studies in Political Science, 2019, No.4, p. 30–41+125–126.

[12] Samuel Huntington. Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity . Beijing: Xinhua Publishing House, 2010.

[13] Tan Ankui. "Identity Politics: Origins, Challenges, and Future" . Exploration and Free Views, 2020,No. 2,p.99–111+159.

[14] He Huaihong. "From Modern Identity to the Politics of Recognition: An Ideological Trace of Identity Politics" . Contemporary American Review, 2019, No.2, p.88–100+124–125.

[15] Anthony Giddens. Modernity and Self-Identity . Translated by Zhao Xudong et al. Beijing: Joint Publishing (Sanlian Shudian), 1998.

[16] Francis Fukuyama. "Against Identity Politics: The New Tribalism and the Crisis of Democracy" . Foreign Affairs, 2018, No.5, p. 90–114.

[17] Will Kymlicka. Contemporary Political Philosophy (Volume 2). Translated by Liu Xin. Shanghai: Shanghai Joint Publishing Company, 2004.

[18] Xu Bin, Bu Yongguang. "The Rise of New Identity Politics and Its Challenges to Governance in Western Countries" . Foreign Social Sciences, 2020, No.3, p.83–93.

[19] Wu Licai. "The Connotations and Criticisms of Identity Politics" [J]. Journal of Yunnan University (Social Sciences Edition), 2022, No.4, p.113–126.