This comprehensive documentary report on the cultural and political state of the union explores the flashpoints of the debate over American identity and values.

Culture Wars in America: A Documentary and Reference Guide places the most hotly debated issues in American society in historical context. With this book in hand, the reader can more effectively evaluate the potential social and political significance of these important conflicts.

Americans have never found it easy to reconcile their differences, even while sometimes achieving a remarkable unity of purpose. Although we pride ourselves on pluralism, we struggle to find common ground on our most essential principles. Since the 1980s, events covered in this volume have increased the questioning of traditional religious values, continuing immigration and globalization, the liberalization of social mores, and differing understandings of the nation’s role in a post-Cold War world. Increased partisan conflict over these issues has dominated American domestic politics and policymaking. The primary source documents collected and analyzed here reflect all of these trends, while fairly representing the contending positions that shape our contemporary political reality.

Document groups are arranged topically for easy reference

Each group of documents is preceded by a headnote and followed by analysis

The book includes a Reader’s Guide to the Documents and a timeline of key events and milestones

Sidebars explore interesting and significant events related to the various broad topics

A trove of resources are listed for further research and exploration

An introductory, context-setting essay, Definitions of the Culture Wars: Historical and Contemporary, provides background on the evolution of culture wars in the modern era