The American Question
Keywords:
American studies, U.S. hegemony, transnational presence, cultural influence, global power, disciplinary debatesAbstract
This article analyzes the concept of 'the American question,' a term proposed to describe the widespread concerns about U.S. global hegemony in political, military, economic, and cultural spheres. The author contends that this question arises from the ubiquitous presence of American power and influence worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, where U.S. interventions have had devastating consequences. The paper explores how scholars and teachers of American studies can complicate this picture by recognizing the multifaceted nature of American culture and identity. This work investigates the historical and contemporary debates within American studies about the discipline's name and scope, highlighting the importance of considering diverse perspectives and resistances to U.S. hegemony. The article demonstrates that the American question is akin to the 'Jewish question' in its transnational implications but differs significantly in context and scale. The significance of this study lies in its call for a more nuanced understanding of American studies as an interdisciplinary field that must engage with global realities.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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