Do You Believe in American Exceptionalism?

[clb09]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

American exceptionalism' (def. "exceptionalism") refers to the theory that the United States occupies a special niche among the nations of the world[1] in terms of its national credo, historical evolution, political and religious institutions and unique origins. The roots of the belief are attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville,[2][3] who claimed that the then-50-year-old United States held a special place among nations, because it was a country of immigrants and the first modern democracy. The term itself did not emerge until after World War II[4] when it was embraced by neoconservative[5] pundits in what was described in the International Herald Tribune as "an ugly twist of late".[6][7]

The theory of American exceptionalism has a number of opponents, especially from the Left.[8][9][10][11] They argue that the belief is "self-serving and jingoistic" (see slavery, civil rights and social welfare issues, Western betrayal, and the failure to aid Jews fleeing the Nazis),[1] that it is based on a myth,[12] and that "[t]here is a growing refusal to accept" the idea of exceptionalism both nationally and internationally.[13]

[Matt Collins]

We are an exceptional nation formed by exceptional people with what is supposed to be an exceptional government. However being exceptional does not give our government the authority or superiority over any other government or People nor does it give it permission to act in an imperial manner.

[Cosmo BG]

Yes.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

No.

[WaltM]

No, I do not.

If I did, I'd be no better than warmongers and imperialists.

There's a big organization all about "Americanism" (just like Islamism)
http://www.americanism.org/

If you believe superior fire power creates order, morality and justice, at least admit violence solves problems.

Furthermore, people who believe America is exceptional are like those who believe in "Manifest Destiny" or "Gott mit uns"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_Destiny
People who look to invisible excuses to justify their beliefs, and blind to reality in human society, cannot be rational and are often dangerous.

How can one be of such mentality and still say Israel is wrong, or terrorism is wrong?

[The Patriot]

No, our country is hardly exceptional.

[Cosmo BG]

By any reasonably objective standard, America is an exceptional nation.

I am hardly a warmonger or imperialist.

[virgil47]

We were exceptional but we have become a socialist democracy that constantly denies it's own roots as a representitive Republic. We have become a nation of whiners and slackards.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

By any reasonably objective standard, America is an exceptional nation.

I am hardly a warmonger or imperialist.

Exceptionally tyrannous, yes.

[awake]

Would somebody que the Darth Vader Music for that first photo....

[libertybrewcity]

we have used exceptionalism as an excuse to occupy nations, no!

[Cosmo BG]

If I didn't think America was exceptional then I wouldn't care what happened here and I would probably be living in Australia by now.

[surf]

no, not until we win the World Cup

[dannno]

Wow, that is pretty exceptional

[Cosmo BG]

Exceptionally tyrannous, yes.

Preposterous.

Sentiments like that are what make the Liberty movement a laughingstock among some folks.

[WaltM]

By any reasonably objective standard, America is an exceptional nation.

I am hardly a warmonger or imperialist.

please elaborate by what "exceptional" you mean.

American exceptionalism is not simply the belief we are unique and lucky, but the belief we are above other nations & standards and we are without mistakes.

Why aren't you a warmonger or imperialist (or how are you better) if you are an exceptionalist?

[Cosmo BG]

please elaborate by what "exceptional" you mean.

American exceptionalism is not simply the belief we are unique and lucky, but the belief we are above other nations & standards and we are without mistakes.

Why aren't you a warmonger or imperialist (or how are you better) if you are an exceptionalist?

"Alexis de Tocqueville,[2][3] who claimed that the then-50-year-old United States held a special place among nations, because it was a country of immigrants and the first modern democracy."

I am using this definition. I have never heard anyone define American exceptionalism as the belief that we are without mistake, but obviously I wouldn't agree with that.

[awake]

Preposterous.

Sentiments like that are what make the Liberty movement a laughingstock among some folks.

"Liberty is Freedom from the government", this includes people in other parts of the world who wish to be free from their own governments as well as the American Hegemony.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Preposterous.

Sentiments like that are what make the Liberty movement a laughingstock among some folks.

Let me get this straight then. The violent appropriation of on average 50% of your labor. A rabid Police State which denies habeus corpus via Military Commissions Act. The repealment of the 4th, 5th, and 1st Amendment via the Patriot Act. An ever increasing encroachment of gun rights, of what little we do have left. No private property anywhere, due to property tax, zoning laws, eminent domain, etc. An all powerful Executive which can issue EO for any purposes. A rabid and incipid Drug War which denies you access to your own body. Two violent illegal and unjust wars. Global Imperialism. A monetary system which steals what little productive capacity and wealth you do have after you are robbed of 50% of your labor through the manipulation of a fiat currency.

YES WHAT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM WE HAVE!

YouTube - True News 13: Statism is Dead - Part 3 - The Matrix

[WaltM]

"Alexis de Tocqueville,[2][3] who claimed that the then-50-year-old United States held a special place among nations, because it was a country of immigrants and the first modern democracy."

I am using this definition. I have never heard anyone define American exceptionalism as the belief that we are without mistake, but obviously I wouldn't agree with that.

your preference to living in the US hardly is ideological, or else you'd say all Americans who've chosen not to move out are exceptionalists.

In April 2009, President Barack Obama responded to a journalist's question in Strasbourg with the statement, "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."[33] Such an answer, as some commentators have asserted, effectively robs the doctrine of American exceptionalism of meaning.

the AEL has promoted the notion that America is without mistake and wars are never wrong.

[Cosmo BG]

Give me a break. "Exceptional" by definition signifies comparison with similar things. America has its flaws, of course, but it is the greatest country on earth and the economic and civil success we have achieved in a mere ~250 years is exceptional by all but the most deliberately obtuse standards.

And no, I wouldn't say that "all Americans who've chosen not to move out are exceptionalists," because many people cannot afford or are otherwise unable to move to another country. Certainly moving to Australia is not an option available to most people.

[Cosmo BG]

One thing that has been clearly established by this thread is that everyone has different definitions of "American exceptionalism." Makes it kind of hard to say whether one believes in it or not.

I don't know who or what the AEL is, so I can't speak to their beliefs except to say that I don't agree.

[iddo]

Would somebody que the Darth Vader Music for that first photo....

Bill Kristol would: "I was always on Darth Vader's side, even when I saw the movie. And I'm sticking with him." (link)

Any comments on the quotes that I've been collecting on wikiquote?
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/American_benevolence

[Cowlesy]

Bill Kristol would: "I was always on Darth Vader's side, even when I saw the movie. And I'm sticking with him." (link)

Any comments on the quotes that I've been collecting on wikiquote?
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/American_benevolence

Hah -- win on the Bill Kristol quote.

His father, Irving, was big about "Moral Authority," in that we have the Moral Authority to do what is right for democracy around the world.

[Gaius1981]

Bill Whittle of PJTV present the proof of American Exceptionalism perfectly. It fully starts at 1:40.
http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=video&video-id=2378

[clb09]

Perhaps American Exceptionalism is a neoconservative concept?

YouTube - Dick Cheney: Obama Does Not Share That Belief of American Exceptionalism

YouTube - Liz Cheney of Keep America Safe Discusses China, Afghanistan & American Exceptionalism

[WaltM]

Perhaps American Exceptionalism is a neoconservative concept?

No it isn't, like I said above, it's much like Manifest Destiny, or "Divine Command".

Justification by religious or nationalist beliefs.

Neoconservatism, just like imperialism, theocracy, Islamism are compatible with Exceptionalism.

For how Neoconservativism & Islamism parallel, I recommend the film "The Power of Nightmares"

[Dreamofunity]

I like our countries ideals more so than most, but have you ever had thai food? Thailand is definitely more exceptional in the food category than the U.S.

[WaltM]

I like our countries ideals more so than most, but have you ever had thai food? Thailand is definitely more exceptional in the food category than the U.S.

preference, unique is different than exceptionalism

[BlackTerrel]

There's a reason so many more people immigrate here then emigrate away. We're not perfect - but we're pretty $#@!ing awesome and I'd rather live here than anywhere else.