Diverse individuals connecting puzzle pieces to form a globe, symbolizing shared values.

The Ties That Bind: How Shared Values Shape Society

Jordan Keane in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the roles of values, interests, and identities in forging political peoplehood"

What does it truly mean to belong? Beyond geographical borders and legal statutes, the concept of 'peoplehood' delves into the shared values, interests, and identities that unite individuals into a cohesive political community. Rogers Smith, a prominent theorist, has dedicated his career to exploring these intricate dynamics, offering profound insights into how societies construct and maintain their collective identities.

Smith's work builds upon a rich tradition of thought exploring the role of ideas and narratives in political life. His focus extends to the themes of citizenship and membership, tracing back to his collaborative work, 'Citizenship without Consent,' which examined the tensions between birthright and consensual understandings of belonging. His notable book, 'Civic Ideals,' meticulously revealed how different understandings of membership – liberal, republican, and ethnoracial – have intertwined throughout American history.

Expanding on these foundations, Smith's 'Stories of Peoplehood' distinguished economic, political, and ethically constitutive narratives of political belonging. Ethical narratives, while powerful and enduring, also present challenges due to their potential for exclusion. This article delves into how these narratives shape political debates, influence our sense of community, and ultimately define who we are as a society.

Unpacking the Politics of Peoplehood: How Constitutive Themes Shape Our Identities

Diverse individuals connecting puzzle pieces to form a globe, symbolizing shared values.

At the heart of understanding political peoplehood lies the concept of 'constitutive themes' – the core values, beliefs, and historical narratives that define a group's shared identity. These themes, often deeply ingrained and emotionally resonant, shape how we perceive ourselves and our relationship to the broader community.

Rogers Smith's work emphasizes the enduring power of these constitutive themes, particularly those related to race, gender, and religion. These themes, woven into national narratives and reinforced through various cultural mediums, continue to shape debates and influence social dynamics.

Here's how these themes exert their influence:

Shaping National Narratives: Constitutive themes become embedded in textbooks, monuments, and festivals, solidifying their place in the collective consciousness.
Influencing Debates: These themes inform and shape ongoing discussions on a wide range of social and political issues.
Intertwining Personal and Collective Identities: Individual stories become intertwined with broader narratives of peoplehood, reinforcing a sense of belonging.

The intertwining of personal stories and broader narratives of peoplehood is a particularly powerful force, as evidenced in political campaigns and social movements. By connecting individual experiences to collective values, leaders and activists can mobilize support and inspire action.

Re-Evaluating Peoplehood for a More Inclusive Future

Rogers Smith challenges the notion of American exceptionalism and advocates for a more inclusive understanding of peoplehood. His work suggests that states have special obligations to those whose identities and interests have been shaped by their actions, including non-citizens and residents of former colonies. By embracing a more moderate, malleable, and multiple understanding of American peoplehood, we can foster a more just and equitable society.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is 'peoplehood' and how does it relate to political community, as defined by Rogers Smith?

According to Rogers Smith, 'peoplehood' goes beyond mere geographical or legal definitions and refers to the shared values, interests, and identities that bind individuals into a cohesive political community. It's a sense of belonging that stems from common narratives and beliefs, which shape how we understand our place within society and our interactions with others. Smith emphasizes that these shared elements are crucial for forming a functional and unified political entity.

How do 'constitutive themes' influence societal dynamics and political debates?

‘Constitutive themes’ are the core values, beliefs, and historical narratives that define a group's shared identity. Rogers Smith highlights that these themes, which often relate to race, gender, and religion, are deeply ingrained and emotionally resonant. They shape national narratives through mediums like textbooks and monuments, influencing debates on social and political issues, and intertwining personal and collective identities. This process molds our perception of ourselves and our connections to the broader community, as seen in political campaigns and social movements.

What is the significance of the three types of narratives that define political belonging as discussed in 'Stories of Peoplehood'?

In 'Stories of Peoplehood,' Rogers Smith distinguishes economic, political, and ethically constitutive narratives of political belonging. Ethical narratives are particularly noteworthy because, while they hold significant power and longevity, they can also lead to exclusion. These narratives shape how individuals perceive their place within a community, influencing who is considered an insider and who might be marginalized. Understanding these narrative types is key to analyzing how societies create and maintain a sense of belonging while addressing potential inequalities.

How does Rogers Smith's work challenge the concept of American exceptionalism and advocate for a more inclusive future?

Rogers Smith challenges the idea of American exceptionalism by promoting a more inclusive understanding of peoplehood. He argues for acknowledging the obligations states have to those whose identities and interests are shaped by their actions, including non-citizens and residents of former colonies. By embracing a more moderate and malleable understanding of American peoplehood, Smith suggests that we can foster a more just and equitable society, one that recognizes and values a broader range of experiences and perspectives.

In what ways does Smith's concept of 'peoplehood' differ from traditional understandings of citizenship, and why is this difference important?

Rogers Smith's concept of 'peoplehood' extends beyond traditional notions of citizenship, which often focus on legal rights and obligations. Instead, it emphasizes the shared values, interests, and narratives that create a sense of belonging and shape our understanding of our political community. This is important because it highlights that political cohesion is not solely based on legal status. It also shows that social and cultural elements play a key role in how we perceive ourselves and our relationships with others. By focusing on these aspects, Smith's work encourages us to think more broadly about how we build and maintain inclusive political communities.