American Exceptionalism : A Contextual History And Modern Critique

Howard Zinn defines American exceptionalism as the belief “...that the United States alone has the right, whether it be divine sanction or moral obligation, to bring civilization, or democracy, or liberty to the rest of the world, by violence if necessary.” The American exceptionalist ideology has domestic implications found in political rhetoric and within the founding of the United States. External implications of exceptionalism are evident in American foreign policy and militaristic interventions such as Vietnam and Iraq. A new definition of has arisen, highlighting the negative implications of exceptionalism, “Roast beef and apple pie explained exceptionalism but now we are back to moldy rye bread and water.”

Charles Murray’s American Exceptionalism invokes ideas I had not considered before. The way he describes America in its early life is unrecognizable to me. Murray discusses the geographic setting, American ideology, the traits of the American people, and the operation of the American political system. Now, centuries later than the time he described, it is like America had gone on a rapidly fast down torrent. I agree with Murray’s ideas of the exceptional traits America exuded, however, the traits I observe now, and as Murray talks about later on in the book, have taken on a different meaning. It is almost as if the once amazing concepts have been reduced to nearly half their worth. I am in no way stating America is no longer exceptional, but

The term “American Exceptionalism” means that the United States has held on to great stability throughout its 230 years in contrast with other nations, who have succumb to civil unrest and revolution more frequently throughout their respective national histories. The term arose in the 1830s and was coined by Alexis DeTocqueville. As DeTocqueville traveled throughout the nation, he discerned America was quite exceptional due in part to it being founded on democracy, liberty, particularly individual liberties, and equality.

American Exceptionalism is a term used to define the ideal that America is far superior to all other countries. It has been used to justify unfair actions and used to cover up flaws. Children are taught from a young age that America is the model country, and the people living there can do no wrong. In school, each bad thing that America has done in history is skimmed over, yet the accomplishments and victories are taught in great detail. For years, Americans have hid behind the phrase American exceptionalism as a way to not only avoid taking responsibility for their actions but to not push themselves to be better, as they already consider themselves perfect. The concept of this exceptionalism impedes the progress and evolution of mankind as they give up caring and trying to better themselves.

Both Alfred Bester and Andre Norton make impassioned claims about the nature of American Exceptionalism, but these claims are very hard to assess objectively. Clearly the excerpt from Bester’s book comes from the Introduction, just as the excerpt from Norton’s article comes from the Conclusion. In both cases we are presented with general statements and are left to wonder if the evidence presented in the body of each work actually supports the claims being asserted.1

This paper will discuss what I believe America’s founding fathers tried to accomplish with the “American Experience”. This experience gives an understanding of America in the 20th century and the accomplishments in the 21st century.

Politics was also central in American labor movements. In the book, The Making of American Exceptionalism: The Knights of Labor and Class Formation in the Nineteenth Century, author Kim Voss shows how and why a successful labor movement never gained political strength as it did in England and France. The United States had similarities with its labor movements with its European counterparts. However, it was mainly because of the failure by the Knights of Labor that caused the American labor movement to go a different route. Unlike Europe, where labor movements were often supported, the United States did not support these groups. It did not witness the rise of a powerfully large socialist party either. The Knights of Labor emerged as a labor organization that welcomed all

While some find us arrogant, condescending and imperialistic, those who have come to join us in America find that there is some truth in the notion that our country is unique. Nowhere else is the freedom to express and improve yourself so widespread, and no other country welcomes those seeking that freedom so openly. Assimilation to our culture is not forced, but it is the rare individual who does not welcome it once they are here. Many people consider themselves to be the best humans on the planet, or maybe the only ones chosen by their god to succeed, but nobody can claim to be as powerful and prosperous as Americans are. To us the idea of American Exceptionalism is not propaganda or a myth; it is the understanding that the only way to the make the most of oneself is to have the freedom to do so.

Vietnam war, the Space Race, and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. One of the highest tension points between the US and the Soviet Union was during the Cuban Missile Crisis with a US naval blockade surrounding Cuba until the removal of its nuclear weapons had started. The US issued an ultimatum to the Soviets saying” If you cross this line it will be considered an act of war”. The Russian fleet did back down from the containment line and did agree to remove nuclear weapons from communist Cuba but on the condition that the US pledge to not invade Cuba again which the US agreed to. An interesting point was that after the crisis Fidel Castro was asked if he would have agreed to use nuclear weapons, Castrol said “Yes I would have used nuclear weapons,

In discussing the Madisonian Dilemma, one must first ask, “How do you give government enough authority to preserve social order and communal values, but not so much that it places unfair and inappropriate limits on individual freedom of choice?” (Bond & Smith 2013, p. 111) This delicate balance between governmental rights and individual freedoms has been a source of much contention and debate. James Madison, a primary framer of the Constitution and author of 30 of the Federalist Papers, believed that the only way this balance of power could be achieved was through controlling the effects of factions through a representative government, fragmenting the power of that government and creating a system of checks and balances within, and

According to Koh (9), “American Exceptionalism” is the belief that the United States is different from every other nation in the world. These differences are due to its unique origins and melting pot, history, and political and religious institution. It is the belief that other nations are corrupt while the United States holds liberty, equality, individualism, and laissez-faire near and dear to it. This thought makes the United States believe they are exempt from international laws and rules. The way the country is set up is pushing citizens to think America is the best out of them all.

Political philosophy throughout the history of the United States has always been a tricky topic to discuss. When The United States was first formed, they were very unsatisfied with the oppressive monarchy that was governing them. Therefore, they sought to break away from the Royal government and construct their own governing style that would meet their needs; a democratic government based on egalitarianism. They sought to form a nation that was unique from another other existing country, known as the theory of American Exceptionalism. The United States was meant to be formed on the basic foundations of equality and liberalism; but these two principles are not actually as interchangeable as they are sometimes used. Though, how exactly are two terms different? Also since The United States’ principles are based on such individualistic fundamentals, how has the role of religion correlated along with these principles? These questions pertaining to religion, liberalism, and democratic government can all be answered by looking at the historic

Notably, many people experience a different view of exceptionalism, which is rather negative about America. This contrary notion views America as being exceptionally bad, racist and even violence, no longer the country of hope. It is this concept that forms the basis of US foreign policy for the nation believes that God did not just command them to liberate their own country but even other nations. Is is believed to be the primary factor driving the global presence of United States military. The idea of exceptionalism claims that America is qualitatively different from any other country. It makes the country believe that they possess something that makes it more beneficial than other nations; its political and social superiority. According

Americans through the years of existence have adapted well to the radical changes throughout the world. Technology, independence and social equality are some of the diverse concepts the United States have adapted to and developed in order to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional when it comes to other countries worldwide. As can be shown through the popular reference to America as the ‘shining city on a hill’. The term “American exceptionalism” is derived from ideals held by many Americans throughout history. Different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A Model of Christian Charity, What is an American and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the

Our nation’s history plays an important role in American society, it sets forth the foundation on which our morals and values are based on as Americans. If we truly are one united nation under God, and our morals and values are based on what history tells us, why is it then that there is so much disparity among the American people. One reason is that our history textbooks and what we are taught by educational leaders only emphasize American Exceptionalism. The history of our nation is not fully disclosed, it omits the nasty and ugly parts. It is time that the U.S. let their skeletons out of the closet, the truth needs to be told no matter how ugly or nasty it is. The period in history known as the Nadir of Race relations, 1890 through the1960’s between whites and blacks is a prime example of American Exceptionalism.