THE IMPACT OF DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES ON THE FORMATION OF COLLECTIVE IDENTITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Abstract
The article analyses the process of forming a collective American identity as a result of the increasingly widespread introduction of democratic practices, which was accompanied by the strengthening of the federal government. It is noted that an important role was played by the ratification of the Constitution, written without the participation of the people, which became the starting point for the formation of a new collective identity of the citizens of the American state. To achieve this goal, both newspaper articles and various mass events, such as festivals and processions, were used to encourage citizens to participate in politics. Political technologies of everyday life in America at the time, such as newspaper debates and processions, served as a means of expressing unity and as a tool for fighting for voter support. As a result, the constant politicisation of patriotic symbols contributed to the strengthening of collective identity. The author examines the peculiarities of the presidency of T. Jefferson, who managed to involve citizens in the governance of the state, which in fact meant the end of the elitist projects of state-building proposed by the Founding Fathers. Popular participation and competition between political actors laid a new foundation for the legitimacy of American politics.The role of political parties as one of the important instruments of political identity formation in democratic societies is analysed. It is proved that the emergence of stable organisations with a broad membership base meant a broader transformation of social processes that created and reproduced American identity. It is noted that one of the innovations in party building at that time, which contributed to the strengthening of collective identity, was the introduction of the primaries procedure and a multi-level system of party conventions. Such steps offered a more direct connection with voters and their greater participation in party affairs than was the case in the «old» parties.
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