The Impact Of Exceptionalism On The United States - 944 Words

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 â€Å"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 â€Å"desire for moral leadership is something more than the ordinary narcissism and nationalism that all powerful states displayâ € . 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 â€Å"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 sharedShow MoreRelatedA Brief Look at American Exceptionalism1271 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction American Exceptionalism refers to the image portrayed by the United States of America as a unique and distinct nation with strong pillars of democracy and liberty. The image stands out globally and defines the U.S. as a nation founded on a viable constitution since its inception in 1776. The other inferences linked to its uniqueness include strong political institutions and American Revolution. These events happened relatively at the same period in the rich American history. ThereafterRead MoreAmerican Religion And The American Of American Culture And Spirit By Harold Koh And Ted Bromund1658 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican Exceptionalism American Exceptionalism is defined in literature as Americans’ deprecation of power politics and old-fashioned diplomacy, mistrust of powerful standing armies and entangling peacetime commitments, their supposedly moralistic judgements about other people’s domestic systems, and belief that liberal values transfer readily to foreign affairs. The reason for American Exceptionalism could be chased back to American Culture and American Spirit. Even though the United States systemRead MoreAnalysis Of Peter Berger s The Desecularization Of The World Resurgent Religion1401 Words   |  6 PagesPeter Berger in The Desecularization of the World Resurgent Religion argues against modernization theory which states as the world modernizes religiosity decreases. Berger contends in the face of empirical evidence secularization theory is untenable. Berger argues it is irresponsible to label the world as secular in the midst of empirical evidence. Evidence is presented that suggests t he world is no less religious than other times in history with notable exceptions primarily in European regionsRead MoreEssay about American Exceptionalism and Cross-Cultural Communications1638 Words   |  7 PagesThe study of American exceptionalism and cross-cultural communications has the ability to improve U.S. military effectiveness in USPACOM. Understanding these two cultural principles will improve effectiveness in three ways. First, it allows USPACOM personnel to understand their biases. Second, it gives USPACOM personnel a perspective on how nations in their area of responsibility may potentially view their actions. Finally, cross-cultural communications provides tools for USPACOM personnel toRead MoreNational Security Structure Development in Steven Hook and John Spaniers Book, American Foreign Policy Since WWII807 Words   |  4 PagesAside from being informative and concise in its historical approach, Hook and Spanier also critiques the several flaws and perspecti ves that occurred in the American foreign policy history since World War II. Hook and Spainer deems that American Exceptionalism greatly fuels and influences some of the most important foreign policies since World War II. It is basically a belief that the U.S. is different from all other countries, and thus, is necessary to be also considered as different. One of theRead MoreThe French Enlightenment Vs British Enlightenment Essay1813 Words   |  8 PagesAmerican exceptionalism. The belief that America has been, and still is, the greatest and most important ally to have in the world, and has been for centuries. Based on the resources, allies, its place in the world, and its government, The United States has been noted as one of the most, if not the most, exceptional countries in the world. Along with the individuals who are likely to agree with this idea, there are some that oppose it. Beyond the fight between whether American Exceptionalism is goodRead MoreIs America Considered An Exceptional Nation?2037 Words   |  9 Pagesagree that the United States is undoubtedly an exceptional nation. Yet, there continues to be debate over the idea of American exceptionalism as each individual has their own opinions on the expression. The theory of exceptionalism dates back to Alexis De Tocqueville, a French political thinker who described the country as quite exceptional and believed no democratic individuals will ever be placed in a similar one (De Tocqueville, 1835). According to Webster’s dictionary, exceptionalism is describedRead MoreThe Frontier Of American History1567 Words   |  7 Pagesthe idea of American exceptionalism, which states that America is different than other nations in the world. The development of America included many significant events, and our nation s identity was made up by many factors, not just only the frontier. Nowadays, the America defines itself as a large and powerful country in the world. We are all proud to be an American. Thus, the stress on a distinct national identity is appropriate within an increasingly diverse nation-state and an ever globalizingRead MorePresident Obam A New Era Of Responsibility Essay1277 Words   |  6 Pages In 2008, still withered by the greatest economic downturn in nearly a century and embroiled in two costly and seemingly unending wars, the citizens of the United States of America were in desperate need of a beacon of hope. However, as the new year was ushered in, so was the chance at a new start. In January 2009, the first African American president, Barack Obama took his oath and delivered his inaugural address, â€Å"A New Era of Responsibility.† In this speech, President Obama, in an attempt toRead MoreAn Era Of Great Conflict1375 Words   |  6 PagesDemocracy in America in 1835 and examined the democratic revolution; he references to American Exceptionalism and the five characteristics that make America â€Å"Exceptional†. Similarly, the 1950s in America was recognized for its highs and lows. Even with the economy was booming, it was known as an era of great conflict (History.com Staff). In the 1950s, Tocqueville’s five characteristics of American Exceptio nalism are invalidated; liberty was not attainable due to the Cold War policies like McCarthyism