FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A University of Arkansas historian’s new book about American identity finds the nation more stable than it has been in over half a century - more stable but also more static and resistant to change.

In "Quest for Identity: America Since 1945," Randall Woods traces American history through 55 years of social and political tumult. Published by Harcourt College Publishers, the book explains how half a century of continuous conflict and resolution shaped America into its present state as a nation more prosperous, more unified and more realistic in its ideals than ever before.

"The downside to such stability is the fact that Americans are no longer poised for change," said Woods, dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. "Chaos theory tells us that great change and transformation come at the edge of chaos, and America is not on the edge of chaos right now. The world may be, but we’re not."

This comes as a sharp contrast to the period following World War II, when America found itself facing both internal and external unrest. The ensuing conflicts left lasting marks on U.S. public and foreign policy and fundamentally changed the way Americans perceived themselves and the nation.

Woods’ book explores the post-war period in terms of these conflicts, citing three that made a definitive impact on American identity: the Cold War, the fight for Civil Rights and the women’s movement. According to the author, each of these struggles forced the nation to re-evaluate its policies, and each inspired significant social, cultural and political changes.

Without doubt, the Cold War represents the dominant conflict of the late 20^th century, said Woods. Due to the long duration and the complexity of this episode, it’s no surprise that the effects of the Cold War proved numerous and often contradictory.

"It reinforced notions arising from World War II that America was the guardian of democracy, the protector of the downtrodden, shielding western civilization as a whole from ideological extremism," Woods explained.

As a result, the Cold War led to explosive growth of the military-industrial complex, fostered sentiments of nativism and incited distrust of other nations. At the same time, however, the crisis educated Americans about foreign governments and forced the U.S. to understand and deal with other cultures.

Furthermore, the Cold War required America to assume the stance of a nation dedicated to equality, opportunity and justice for all. If the nation hoped to defend this stance, it would have to live up to its claim - and that meant re-evaluating policies that oppressed American citizens, namely African Americans and women.

The prosperity following World War II had raised the expectations of women and minorities across the nation. Both desired greater freedom and equality and were therefore primed for the opportunity to make their voices heard.

While it’s true the Cold War opened the door for civil rights and feminist reform, Woods believes these movements were inevitable.

"It is impossible for oppression to be practiced against any significant minority over a long period of time in a country with our professed ideals," he said. "America either had to change its policies or change its ideals."

In "Quest for Identity," Woods addresses not just the political aspects of these events but also their cultural ramifications - the popularity of rock and roll music, the involvement of young people in political and social issues, changes in fashion, lifestyle and moral creed. And Woods tracks the influence of other phenomena as well, like the media, consumerism, education and suburban growth.

While political events seemed to create dividing lines between race, gender and class, these phenomena helped draw the nation together, obscuring cultural and regional differences. As Americans began to watch the same television shows, buy the same clothes and graduate from standardized school systems, their notion of identity became more homogenous, Woods said.

"Unlike other countries - particularly European countries - America doesn’t have a common ethnicity or an extensive history or even a sense of shared ownership of the land to bind us together," the author said. "Our success as a nation has been our ability to carve an identity out of a multitude of ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups."

As America has become more unified in its identity, it has attained greater prosperity, social justice and quality of living - all of which have made Americans more comfortable, and therefore, somewhat resistant to change. But Woods does not consider this a problem so long as citizens continue to pursue the American ideals of equality and opportunity for all.

"It’s not so much the identity that matters, but the quest for identity," Woods said. "We must continually question what makes us a community and how that community could be better."

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"Quest for Identity: America Since 1945" by Randall Bennett Woods

Published by Harcourt College Publishers, ©2001

$43.50