KERA's Think The U.S. has never had a common identity
Nov 21, 2025
Colin Woodard, an author and historian, explores the complexities of American identity as director of Nationhood Lab. He argues that the U.S. is more a federation of regional cultures than a melting pot, with distinct definitions of liberty influencing civic narratives. Woodard discusses how historical settlement patterns shape regional identities and attitudes towards issues like gun rights and health outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming the Declaration of Independence as a unifying story to bridge divides and foster constructive policy discussions.
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United By Enemy, Not Identity
- The U.S. formed as rival colonial projects united mainly to resist Britain, not from a single national identity.
- Regional settlement cultures set enduring political and social priorities that persist today.
Values Mean Different Things Regionally
- Core American ideals like freedom and democracy get interpreted differently across regional cultures.
- These differing definitions drive persistent policy conflicts and intra-state divides.
Two Competing Paths To Freedom
- Regional cultures differ on whether freedom comes from minimizing government or building public infrastructure.
- Those opposite philosophies produce directly conflicting policy agendas across issues.
