As the United States observes the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the conversation inevitably turns to what truly distinguishes the nation. The milestone prompts a fresh look at the ideas that have long been invoked to define the American project, from liberty and self-government to the promise of a land where anyone can belong.
Deborah Schildkraut, the John Richard Skuse Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, has spent her career probing the contours of U.S. national identity. Her research examines how shifting ethnic composition reshapes public opinion, and she co-authored the books Everyday Democracy and States of Belonging which explore everyday political behavior and the politics of immigration. In a recent interview, she reflected on the constant tension between America’s aspirational self-image and the lived reality of its diverse populace.
Civic ideals as the backbone of the American self-image
The prevailing narrative portrays the United States as a nation built on civic ideals—individualism, community participation, and constitutionalism. According to Schildkraut, these principles serve as a moving target, a vision that Americans continually try to align with reality. The belief that anyone who adopts these values and contributes to society can claim the title of “American” has remained remarkably steady, offering a unifying theme that transcends regional and cultural divides.
At the same time, the inclusive promise coexists with periodic currents of ethnic exclusivity. Schildkraut notes that this duality is not a recent invention; rather, it reflects a long-standing ambivalence embedded in the nation’s political culture. When political leaders highlight the openness of the American promise, they often do so while simultaneously framing “the other” in ways that serve partisan aims, revealing how politics can both widen and narrow the circle of belonging.
When the narrative meets reality: gaps in the national story
In her introductory American politics course, Schildkraut emphasizes a persistent gap between the idealized picture of the United States and its actual composition. She points out that the myth of America as a perpetual “nation of immigrants” gained prominence only in recent decades, even though the country’s early years were marked by far less immigration. Today, many citizens cherish the immigrant narrative as a source of pride, yet they often feel uneasy about contemporary immigration debates, exposing a paradox between nostalgic self-identification and present-day policy anxieties.
Relatedly, the tendency to delineate “us” versus “them” is a psychological habit that surfaces whenever political entrepreneurs seek advantage. Schildkraut explains that the “them” has shifted over time—from recent arrivals to ethnic minorities to broader cultural outsiders—illustrating how political rhetoric can weaponize fear and shape collective identity. These fluctuations underscore the fragility of a self-conception that is simultaneously inclusive and exclusionary.
Why democracy stays on shaky ground and how citizens can tip the balance
Democracy, in Schildkraut’s view, is inherently delicate because it must constantly mediate competing interests. When groups fail to resolve disputes through peaceful, institutional channels, the risk of violence escalates. She argues that the health of a democratic system relies on robust procedures: equal participation, rule of law, and a sense that every voice matters. Yet people often resist compromise, preferring to impose their preferences on others, which keeps the tension alive.
Progress, however, does not emerge spontaneously. Schildkraut stresses that lasting change arises from persistent citizen engagement—building coalitions, negotiating across divides, and sustaining effort over long periods. When ordinary people push for policies that narrow the gap between the nation’s ideals and its lived reality, they keep democracy functional. In other words, the very act of staying at the political table is what preserves the democratic promise, even amid persistent challenges.
