Civic ideals: Conflicting visions of citizenship in US history.

In this review, Professor Peter J. Spiro examines Roger M Smith's recent wo rk, Civic Ideals: Conflicting Visions of Citizenship in U.S. History. Out o f Smith's historical treatment, Spiro distills what he terms the American " citizenship dilemma." This dilemma arises, in Professor Spiro's view, from the inherent tension between inclusion and solidarity in forging a cohesive and vigorous national identity. As Smith demonstrates, morally-discredited traditions of exclusion provided an important source of cohesion in Americ an history. Policies and acts of inclusion-while consistent with the rhetor ic of civic myths-have diminished the state by weakening the bonds of natio nal identity. In the modern world, Professor Spiro advances, the notion of inclusion is not sufficient 10 provide a basis for a unique American identi ty. In light of this, Professor Spiro argues that Smith and other liberal n ationalists are misguided in assuming that America can be both strong and i nclusive. Given the unacceptability of returning to previous exclusionary c itizenship regimes, Professor Spiro questions the liberal-nationalist assum ption that the nation will remain the focal point of rights and solidaritie s. He discusses a host of nonstate communities that have garnered individua l loyalties and argues that the increasing prominence of such associations indicates the weakening of bonds of national identity. Professor Spiro conc ludes that the nation-while remaining an important force in American's live s-is likely to become less important in terms of associative identity, than it has been in the past, and he sketches the normative challenges that wil l be posed by this new regime.