Exceptionalism Research Paper

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

We, in general, live in a wealthy country. With its wealth, the government pays for many things for their citizens. Whether we’re a man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, we’re given most of the same opportunities because of our government. In America, the poor can still go to school and get an education, receive insurance or other medical care, obtain social security, food stamps, and more. The government helps everyone in need of aid, which makes our country very unique. This uniqueness is especially what makes me proud of being an American. Our country helps those who can’t help themselves, which also makes our country thrive.

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.

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.

Conclusion: American exceptionalism is a term used throughout history. Although many leaders and groups believe that America does stand out, the idea of American exceptionalism is proved to be false throughout America's racist and violent history and is still causing issues today, for example the Charlottesville protest. That is why it is important for Americans to not only know the term, but to also understand its meaning and its impact on not only the past but also the future of

America’s historic inaugural statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” is a truly seminal appeal to mankind. This line turned the first page of the epochal American saga that has since transformed the world’s moral and political framework. However, today as we bustle through our daily lives, it is easy to take for granted just how fortunate we actually are to be Americans. Despite our domestic and foreign quandaries, America is still so wealthy that our notion of poverty, where even the poor are fed, housed, clothed, and entertained, is well above the squalor that much of the world understands as poverty. Famine, war’s destruction, and other calamities are a relatively foreign concept in the American psyche, and our prosperity has unintentionally disengaged us from true gratefulness for our homeland. In times like these it is prudent to take a moment to reflect on what really matters.

Many people can agree that America is exceptional and how America is different from other countries. America believed that they will be better and different from other countries. America has many expectations that aren't reached. America has impacted many things that have occurred in the past and has created a great image from America but, never the less America is not exceptional and has failed to resist the standard America has created for themselves and over time they have forgotten there what they have by going against it.

In the article “The Myth of American Exceptionalism” written by Stephen M. Walt, he writes about how, in its most basic form, America is not as exceptional as its citizens perceive it to be. He breaks down the article into smaller, albeit, rather unpalatable chunks ranging from, how what we may see as “exceptionalism” is not quite unlike what many other countries feel about themselves in their own patriotic views, to the belief that America is somehow a nation ordained and led by God. Being mindful that this is just a minute blurb of the entire meat of this article, I would like to begin by saying, for the most part, I agree.

Two hundred and forty years of economic struggles and crisis, racial discrimination, police brutality, political wars, relentless political leaders, almost fair judiciary system, faith, fear, love, and compassion are some of the spices that made United States of America the greatest nation in the world today. Our founding fathers fought and thrived to make the USA a nation of togetherness, a nation without prejudices, a nation where dreams come true, a nation free from strict laws and culture, our fathers fought with all their might to bring us together and to make us stay together. Nevertheless, with all its glory and title has the greatest nation on earth, United Sates of America is still a nation

What makes America great is the fact that we will change, we will right a wrong and even if it takes decades. Along the way we will stumble and even fall but, we will eventually find our way to making the right decision.

America is blessed and God has destined America to have a positive role in the world. Americans believe in some form of American Exceptionalism. Many are unsure of the phrase but know a wide-ranging assumption of the core feeling of national pride and confidence. For example, any candidate can draw his opponent’s commitment into question and have a great advantage. Many assume that America is blessed and above other countries.

As the only country left to qualify as a superpower, we have some major responsibilities to sustain world peace. Whenever a predicament breaks out in the world, America steps in to help resolve the situation. While our country is involved with many national affairs, it must also treat its citizens well. This means that our country must to bring justice to society and rehabilitate the forgotten population. The rehabilitation of the forgotten population is vital if they ever want to live under the free Constitution! As the people under the Constitution, we must ensure our government remains of the people, by the people, and for the people.

War, poverty, suffering, disease… These are all backdrops of humanity's darkest hours, yet we are strongest when we stand together. When efforts are united for a greater good, when benevolence and generosity override selfishness and fear. America has been a leader in benevolence and altruism, assisting those in times of hardship. The America I believe in is the nation I live in today: an America that runs on munificence which has been shown through humanitarianism and military support on many occasions.

Exceptionalism is neither new, as explained above, nor exclusive to the United States. Several historical actors, such as Great Britain, France and the former Soviet Union claimed exceptionalist ideas (Ignatieff, 2005; Holsti, 2010). The current U.S. President Obama also stresses a similar point by stating that “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism” (Obama, cited in Ceaser, 2012, p.4). However, exceptionalism purposed by the U.S. is different from those of other countries. Firstly, although each countries believe in their own uniqueness (Hoffmann, 2005), no country but the U.S. claims and attempts to discharge its missionary duty in international affairs. Regarding this point, Ignatieff (2005, p.13) states that the U.S.’s “desire for moral leadership is something more than the ordinary narcissism and nationalism that all powerful states display”. Secondly, the U.S. has embraced the exceptionalist ideas from the very outset of its history, while other great powers in history only started to adopt it in order “to justify their acquisition and maintenance of empires” (Davis and Lynn-Jones,1987, p.22). This fact implies that American exceptionalism is not mere political ideology, but national identity, which has strongly inherited among American public. In the U.S., where diversified people live together, it is not common language, religion or culture, but shared

The United States of America has seen great change throughout its history. While a considerable amount of time has matured the nation, the core spirit of the American people remains unaffected. In spite of all the wars fought and problems that arose, the