Un-American: a historiographical approach to a key concept of current US politics

Abstract

The article aims to investigate the meaning of «Un-American», one of the most frequently used words in recent years in the political discourse of the United States of America, framing the research within the tradition of conceptual history. Drawing on a large number of primary sources of different natures, we will conduct a diachronic analysis of this concept, from the 18th century to the present. In particular, we will examine the dichotomy that has been forged between an idyllic conception of the homeland and its enemies: the un-Americans. Finally, we will focus on the protagonists of the 2024 electoral campaign (Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump), who have shown themselves particularly inclined to using this concept.