Polity The American Civilizing Process

Since 9/11, the American government has presumed to speak and act in the name of ‘civilization’. But isthat how the rest of the world sees it? And if not, why not? Stephen Mennell leads up to such contemporary questions through a careful study of the whole span of American development, from the first settlers to the American Empire. He takes a novel approach, analysing the USA’s experience in the light of Norbert Elias’s theory of civilizing (and decivilizing) processes. Drawing comparisons between the USA and other countries of the world, the topics discussed include: American manners and lifestyles Violence in American society The impact of markets on American social character American expansion, from the frontier to empire The ‘curse of the American Dream’ and increasing inequality The religiosity of American life Mennell shows how the long-term experience of Americans has been of growing more and more powerful in relation to their neighbours. This has had all-pervasive effects on the way they see themselves, their perception of the rest of the world, and how the rest of the world sees them. Mennell’s compelling and provocative account will appeal to anyone concerned about America's role in the world today, including students and scholars of American politics and society. Review "This book has a great potential for upsetting the sensibilities of American graduate students and stimulating debate about the form and development of American culture and social organization." Theory and Society "All in all, this is a book full of treasures that I would recommend unreservedly." Farhad Dalal, Group Analysis"[A] work of immense scope, insight and erudition by a major figure in sociology." Andrew Linklater, International Affairs"Guaranteed to be 'model setting' in its own right. All future studies of civilising processes, which will hopefully include analyses of such dynamics in rising powers such as China, India, Brazil and so forth in the emerging post-Western international system, can derive their bearings from this volume." Figurations"What makes Mennell's book exceptional is its theoretical framework building on the elaborate theory of civilizing processes developed by Norbert Elias (1897-1990), who elaborated his theory on European state-formation processes." Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft "A broad and brave, yet incisive, exploration of the process of US evolution, effectively mingling, and moving between, sociological and cultural considerations with political and international trends." Irish Journal of American Studies"Mennell has robustly put the American processes of civilization through the demands of Elias-ian analysis." Prometheus"Mennell is the best expositor of the pattern of American geopolitics, along with British military historian John Keegan’s Fields of Battle." European Journal of Sociology"A very fine book indeed: a triumphant vindication of the capacity of Elias's thesis to illuminate huge tracts of American history and at the same time a highly original and independent work which never follows the master slavishly but maintains its intellectual independence, recognising the difficulties which Elias's theories sometimes raise, and abounding in fresh insights of its own. It is also beautifully lucid and agreeably unpretentious in tone." Sir Keith Thomas, All Souls College, Oxford"Written in a beautifully lucid and lively style, this book should be read by all who seek to understand a fascinating as well as important country." John A. Thompson, St Catharine's College, Cambridge"This is a book that is long overdue. Norbert Elias pioneered analysis of the civilizing process that helped make modern Europe. But just how much America is distinct has been both historically contested and conceptually unclear. Stephen Mennell brings considerable insight in this thoughtful reconsideration of the American story in light of Elias’s originally European framework." Craig Calhou