American Identity and Issue of War

American Identity and Issue of War

Identity is about our self-perception and others, of us as well national identity is a one consisted of individual identities, thus individual identity is the substrate of social identity. This role hasn’t any exception eve in America. Three different types of identity is observable in America, which in this writing focusing on the issue of war these three will more discussed. The three are Resistance, Legitimizing and Projective Identities.

All American individuals are defending of a holy triangle of God, Gold and Gun; of course some subtle differences are obvious in various people’s mind of issue, but almost none of them offend on these three and in fact most are defenders. They believe in a bestowed land and power from God and wealth as well. Gun is a symbol for them to defend of their values and supporting their identity; albeit its over-expanding usage in peace time and by civilians has emerged the issue of Gun Control in USA, but no one believes in gone guns.

Elements of American social identity can be categorized in Exceptionality, Continuity and Distinction. Americans believe in their military as a peace-maker rather than a chaos-bringer; they look at their military forces as exceptional guardians of global peace. For this exceptionalism they count four components: 1. Soft power, 2. Democracy and pragmatism, 3. Religion and voluntary organizations and 4. Uniformity.

Soft power: American draftees have a sense of proud and honor to fight for America, they believe in it as their own identity, and off course they are wholly respectable by Nation as there is a department in Cabinet for their affairs which is called Department of Veterans Affairs and a national day (9/11) as well.

Democracy and pragmatism: All America’s goings into war must be by Congress members’ ratification who are chosen by Nation or in some special events by President’s order who is also stands for Nation

Religion and voluntary organizations: Almost all American soldiers think of themselves as divine warriors whom are struggling for God’s promised peace in world and all of them are in their own will to attend military forces.

Uniformity: American military is at service of one nation and one flag and another one which is called Pentagon.

Continuity is the second element. Aspects of American identity all are in meaningful Continuity, their glance to war, is the same as their gaze to peace, industry, family, agriculture, state, neighbor and many more issues. In fact there is a whole identity and all other readings and observations to everything is upon it, thus it can be claimed there is a continuous trend in American watching of world.

Distinction is the third and last element of American social identity. At first impression it may mis-considered with Exceptionality, but it must be said that in exceptionalism argument is on notions and concepts that are unique in America and there is no pair for them throughout the world; but in Distinction the debate is on things which are never found in America or in other words there is no case and place for them in there. Apartheid and dictatorship can be come forward as examples of American distinction to some other nations.