ABSTRACT
Civic voluntarism is one of the most powerful wellsprings of American nationalism that is the willingness of ordinary citizens to contribute to the public good, either through individual initiatives or civic associations. Any examination of the deeper sources of anti-Americanism should start with an introspective look at American nationalism. Moreover, coming to terms with today's growing animosity toward the United States is intellectually contentious because of the two paradoxes of American nationalism: First, although the United States is a highly nationalistic country, it genuinely does not see itself as such. Second, despite the high level of nationalism in American society, United States policymakers have a remarkably poor appreciation of the power of nationalism in other societies and have demonstrated neither skill nor sensitivity in dealing with its manifestations abroad. As President George W. Bush said: 'There is no American race; there's only an American creed'. And in American eyes, the superiority of that creed is self-evident.
