AMERICAN CIVIC AND ETHNIC NATIONALISM: HISTORY AND THE DEBATE OVER THE REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE SYMBOLS =

Abstract

ABSTRACT This graduation paper emerged from my interest in Confederate symbols and American ethnic and civic nationalism. It consists of four chapters and is aimed at exploring the historical conditions for the comprehensibility of these two forms of nationalism and how they are specifically manifested in the debate over the removal of Confederate symbols. Adopting Foucauldian theoretical perspective, American civic and ethnic nationalism qualify as discourses; the debate over the removal of Confederate symbols which are also the primary object of this thesis qualify as the study of discourse since they are both understandable to people in a specific historical context. Also in alignment with Foucauldian theoretical perspective, it is necessary to pay attention to the power networks and the subjects summoned by American civic and ethnic nationalism discourses. These two forms of nationalism have persisted in American society even before the nation’s birth and influenced every aspect of American life. It is discovered that in American history, while ethnic nationalism discourse consists of two components: racism and ethnic diversity, its counterpart is composed of three components: national unity, civil rights and national independence from outer influence. These components also form the grid based on which the debate is analyzed. As the historical contexts have changed, the debate, besides quite clearly and specifically representing the components of the two forms of American nationalism with concrete contexts, arguments and strategies, also experienced some minor alterations in comparison with the aforementioned grid. The lessons drawn are that whether the debate demonstrates American civic or ethnic nationalism discourse and whether these controversial symbols should remain or be removed from public places depend on people’s own interpretations of the symbols and their removal.