The Stories We Tell
By Geoffry Martin
Rogers Smith, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science and the department chair, has spent the last 25 years studying how human beings define themselves and bond as members of their communities. In his latest book, Stories of Peoplehood: The Politics and Morals of Political Membership, Smith tackles traditional theories of what builds group identity and asks us to reconsider how we relate as political peoples.
In the 20th century, considerable attention was given to the study of nation states, class struggles, and conflicts between competing human interest groups. Smith argues that a more precise accounting of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, economics, language, and culture is required to study how political communities are formed.
All persons are part of a political group or groups, he contends, because we all belong to some affiliation, association, or community that asks us to act or follow rules on their behalf.
"The most politically important feature of a group is the degree to which its proponents assert its priority over other associations, whether over many issues or few."
Citing empires from ancient Greece to todayís superpowers, Smith points out that the strongest peoples with the widest possible influence tend to be the most imperialistic. Groups that compel their members to serve in foreign wars are more likely to engage in conflict, while moderately powerful groups such as the European Union, the nation of Belgium, and the Navajo Nation "can inspire allegiance from and participation by their members while accepting that those members simultaneously belong to a wide variety of other deeply valued communities." It is the moderate form of peoplehood that will be more ethical, Smith concludes, and he urges the adoption of such a model in fostering international institutions to protect human rights.
Smith also purports that political scientists have overlooked perhaps the most important facet of people-making: storytelling. Stories are used by political peoples and their leaders to ìinspire trust and worthî among constituents.
Whether in the pages of Thomas Paineís Common Sense or in the defiant wartime radio broadcasts of Winston Churchill, stories become cultural imprints that bind people together and claim that "membership is somehow intrinsic to the core identities of potential constituents."
Stories of peoplehood, however, can often be perverted to assert one groupís domination over others. In the bookís final chapter, Smith offers a forthright critique of how such stories create conflict in the United States.
The Ku Klux Klan and Nation of Islam are obvious examples, but Smith carefully details the use of stories as codes for the assertion of religious supremacy by Protestant and Catholic groups struggling to mainstream religious dogma. Such rhetoric is found at the highest levels of government. In his inaugural address, President George W. Bush said of American history that ìWe are not this storyís author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty.î Calling for rigorous, candid debate of the most controversial sentiments in America today, Smith hopes that the nation can help build larger stories that will foster a more just sense of community worldwide.
Geoffrey Martin is a freelance writer covering the arts, music, travel, education, and politics.