What is identified as a cost of American identity?

The cost of American identity, recognized in this context, pertains to the feelings of superiority and hostility towards outsiders. This perspective highlights how a strong sense of national identity can lead to exclusivity and a belief in the intrinsic value of one's own culture or ethnicity over others. Such sentiments can manifest in xenophobia, nationalism, and resistance to immigration, which create barriers not only to cultural diversity but also to social cohesion.

This inner conflict can cause individuals within a society to view those who are different—whether due to ethnicity, culture, or nationality—as threats to their own identity and way of life. The repercussions of these feelings can lead to policies, social attitudes, and interpersonal relationships that marginalize or discriminate against those perceived as different.

In contrast, other options present different aspects of social dynamics that may not be directly related to the cost of American identity. Diminished support for government reflects a political perspective, while increased support for redistribution focuses on economic disparities, and bibliographical support of traditions relates more to cultural preservation. None of these directly encapsulate the emotional and social consequences associated with a divisive national identity as effectively as the feelings of superiority and hostility towards outsiders.