The Essence of American Exceptionalism - Essay Example

Culture and Public Policy: The Thesis of American Exceptionalism Introduction Acknowledgement of being an American is an acceptance of belonging to a nation that has developed a historical uniqueness through creation of a cultural and historical heritage supported by the great acts and tragic flaws, an exceptional set of ideals, immense resources as well as belonging to a nation that has established leadership in a commanding and demanding world. Consequently, being an American has more than legal interpretation it encompasses political as well as personal identity that suggests more complex, powerful, and in some instances contradictory notions for both Americans and non- Americans (Smith, 2013). Proponents of the theory that the United States of America possesses a number of factors that sets the nation apart from the rest in world base the thesis of American exceptionalism on the belief. Classical proponents of the theory refer to a number of distinctive characteristics that sets the nation as a unique based on established democratic ideals and personal liberty of experienced in the free nation. However, there are also opponents of American exceptionalism who have argued that the country has nothing special which set it aside from the rest. This group has cited a number of flaws related to civil rights, social welfare and slavery in the history of the nation as some of the reasons why the United States is not exceptional. This essay critically assess existing arguments supporting the thesis of American exceptionalism and those presented by critics of the notion in order to determine whether the thesis is valid based on the historical context of the United States. Existence of a classless society Americans have been able to establish a society that is free from historical feudal traditions therefore the citizens are not faced by perceptions of class oppression in present. Lack of feudalism history means citizens have greater responsibility over their own status as they can achieve greatness based on the ability of individuals to increase their productivity. The essence of American exceptionalism based on absence of class society is based on the model advanced by Louis Hartz in his book The Liberal Tradition in America (1955). The political scientist based his support of American exceptionalism in the absence of political ideologies leaning towards socialist and aristocratic political tradition. These elements were a common aspect of many countries including more advanced nations in Europe due to establishment of social and political systems that were based on churches, hereditary systems in nobility and existence of landed estates. Lack of a feudal system implied that conflicts in the American history were based on “liberal consensus” with it citizens clashing on matters that revolved around political representations, private ownership of property and individual rights (Sondhaus and Fuller, 2007). Influence of the Puritan Background in American History American exceptionalism has its roots in the colonial era when puritan settlers migrated to the North American nation. This group of settlers had a perception of the North American content as a New Canaan and believed it was a land granted by God to his people to construct a new model of the Promised Land. The perception of America as a promised land has been propagated based on the ideas of Puritan settlers in the North American continent how saw the content as presenting an opportunity to develop a model for the rest of the world. As the settlers approached the new lands, Winthrop, the puritan leader, delivered a sermon to all aboard the Arbella with assertions that as settlers, "must consider that wee shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eies of all people are upon us" (Delbanco and Heimert 2009, p. 91). To cement the assertions made by Winthrop into the history of the United States, his words were recorded and dispersed in manuscript form with the document remaining apart of existing formative transcripts of American self-identity and implication. Americans have over the years, adopted the notion of “the city on a hill” as envisioned by Winthrop with many believing the settlers and others after them had a God-given task of propagating His work on Earth. This was through setting up of a society capable of being a symbol harbinger of improvement in the affairs of human civilizations (Spanos 2008, p. 225). Over the years, the perception this Puritans changed due to several factors including the ever increasing influence from other Protestant traditions that existed regions such as the South and Middle Colonies. These changes did not have profound effect on the moralistic values treasured by the Puritans and they were able to withstand the test of time to be a part of the national identity of the nation in the following centuries (Edwards and Weiss, 2011). This notion of United States as a unique nation has also taken a secular approach especially based on the projects of prominent revolutionists such as Thomas Paine who authored the revolutionary pamphlet Common Sense in 1776. According to Paine, the calls for American independence were motivated by virtue of the nation being separate and different from the Old World. America provided an opportunity for the settlers to "begin the world over again" through setting up of a political society that is held together by a set of new and progressive ideas (Dunn 2013, p.115). Paine’s that were contained in Common Sense was among the resources that drafters of the Constitution relied in framing the legal document in 1787. This led to the establishment of an ambitious political experiment based on beliefs in a nation that would propagate a system of government based on safeguarding of essential individual rights (Nagelhout, 2013). The American Revolution and Republicanism Proponents of American exceptionalism point at the rejection of republicanism in America by Britain as having provided grounds for the American Revolution therefore enabling the nation to seek its own unique path. Revolutionists such as Thomas Paine asserted that the separate identity of America meant America henceforth not a part of Europe, but a new nation that had developed potentials and opportunities that were beyond the control of Britain. The push for republicanism with emphasis on “divine right of republics” was based on drawing parallels against the European declaration of “the doctrine of the divine right of kings” (Ceaser 2012, p.15). Triumph against Britain implied republicanism had succeeded in asserting its central role in processes of establishing the new nation. Therefore, proponents of American exceptionalism cite the United States as propagating republican ideals that do not conform to the beliefs of other nations, which have a heritage that is based on the establishment of a ruling class, common heritage and ethnicity. Social and Political Mobility The high rate of social occupational mobility has also been cited as attesting to the fact that the nation is exceptional compared to others. 19th century scholars such including French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville who made a tour of various locations within the nation in the 1830s noted the notion of social and occupational mobility. De Tocqueville noted the flexible social relations that saw families ascend and fall in the social hierarchy, which was then compared with the rigid social structures in most European nations with aristocratic backgrounds where families remained in the same social position for centuries (Smith, 2013). Such mobility has led to the recognition of the United States as “the land of opportunity” where every citizen has a fair opportunity of improving his or her social and political fortunes (Smith 2013, p. 205). This is evident in the various institutions within the nation such as educational and professional training, which provides an avenue for children from every ethnic, religion and geographical location within the nation to access the resources needed to take advantage of existing opportunities. Geographical mobility is also high enabling the citizens to relocate easily to areas with conditions that favour their improvement. Although inequalities still exists, American up to 40 percent of the population believe they will be counted among the top one percent in the national income statistic while the have-nots are certain of being among the haves (Sacks, 2007). However, Sacks (2007) notes that the factors that made concept of American exceptionalism real in the 19th centuries have continued to diminish over the course of history. The author asserts that social mobility in United States from the 20th century has taken similar characteristics to what is experienced in the rest of industrialized countries. Intergenerational wealth has become less significant in accounting for sources of wealth of sons with reports indicating that it has fallen to below 20 percent of earnings for each subsequent generation. Opposition to the Thesis of American Exceptionalism Proponents of American exceptionalism to support the belief that the country is uniquely placed to serve all humanity through its position as a global superpower have used the above characteristics of the United States. Therefore, proponent of this thesis claim that United States is well placed to take advantage of its wealth in promoting a global environment where nations conform to the international law, democracy and observe the human rights of all the groups of people within their boundaries. However, the thesis of American exceptionalism has been criticised over the years due to what critics cite as lack of a moral ground and favouritism in application of its superpower capabilities. One the critics of American exceptionalism is Ignatieff (2005) who points out a number of areas where the nation has abused the historical advantages when relating to matters of international concerns. The United States has over the years, supported internationals treaties that do not require compliance of its citizens. Although this is also part of expressing the nation’s exceptionalism, it does not conform to the principle of global leadership where the United States is supposed to be exemplary in the manner the nation reacts to international laws seeking to improve the democratic rights of humanity wherever they are located. The United States has used a number of avenues including diplomatic and military engagements in what the nation perceives as its role to affect positive change in observation of international laws and human right. To perform this function the United States has always cited abuse of human rights in its interference in internal affairs of other countries. However, the nation has been accused of ignoring the some of the damning reports affecting its citizens; therefore creating a perception that the United States is above the law. Although this assertion does not necessarily argue against American exceptionalism, its highlights the lack of blanket observance of international law as the nation should also be bound to the declarations contained in law of nations (Koh, 2003). Although the United States seeks to assert its global position as one that is uniquely positioned to handle conflicts arising in various parts of the world, critics have pointed to the nations’ history to indicate such conflicts were also a part of the United States history. The United States should not be perceived as an exception when dealing with matters of human right as the nation has a dark history related to observation of these rights. Historical facts related to civil rights especially that of minority groups in terms of race, social welfare and slavery are part of the American history citied by critics of American exceptionalism (Berkin, Miller, Cherny and Gormly, 2011). Therefore, countries that are experiences various challenges might be forgiven based on this argument, as they are younger nations compared to the United States. Just as the United States took hundreds of years to establish it culture through various institutions and ideologies, it will also take some years for these countries to establish strong systems that support the political, economic and social prosperity of their citizens (Koh, 2003). Opponents of American exceptionalism have also argued that there is nothing special with nation, which makes it stand above the rest. Although the United States had achieved political, social and economic prosperity since declaration of independence, critics argue that its status as a global super power is not a permanent feature. The opponents of American exceptionalism cite declining economic superiority as being among the reasons to oppose this assertion. Critics such as Daniel Bell have argued that American exceptionalism ended with the Vietnam War when the negative outcomes of the war made the United States realize it was just like any other nation. This defeat during the Vietnam War has been attributed to American arrogance that led to many believing they were protector of the free world. The deaf in Vietnam War is perceived as a turning point in the United States’ power and that the nation is now on a slow decline while others are rising to counter American hegemony (Edwards and Weiss, 2011; Koh, 2003). Conclusion From the foregoing, the thesis of American exceptionalism has received widespread support due to existing factors that place the nation at an advantage compared to others in the global platform. Conclusions on American exceptionalism have been drawn based on the existence of institutions established by the forefathers of the nation from 1776 to around 1789 including the declaration of independence, the American Revolution, the constitution among other political frameworks that have guided the nation over the years. Therefore, the American Revolution that resulted in freedom of the United States from British rule and control essential historical milestones contributing to ideas of American exceptionalism. Even so, other factors apart from political positioning of the nation have been included among the factors that have set the United States apart from other countries in all the contents of the world. Although critics have disputed the thesis of American exceptionalism, most of the arguments do not erase the reality of American history that places the nation at a unique position in the global arena. This is even when the status of the country as a superpower might be a decline that does not reduce the important contribution made by United States to global civilization; therefore, the thesis of American exceptionalism is valid based on the historical context in the development of the nation. References Berkin, C., Miller, C., Cherny, R., & Gormly, J. (2011). Making America: A History of the United States (Vol. 1). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Ceaser, J. W., 2012. The Origins and Character of American Exceptionalism. American Political Thought, 1(1), 3-28. Delbanco, A., & Heimert, A., 2009. The Puritans in America: A Narrative Anthology. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Dunn, C. W. (Ed.), 2013. American Exceptionalism: The Origins, History, and Future of the Nations Greatest Strength. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Edwards, J. A., & Weiss, D. (Eds.), 2011. The rhetoric of American exceptionalism: Critical essays. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. Koh, H. H. (2003). On American Exceptionalism. Stanford Law Review, 1479-1527. Nagelhout, R., 2013. Thomas Paines Common Sense. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Sacks, P., 2007. Tearing down the gates: Confronting the class divide in American education. Oakland, California: Univ of California Press. Smith, G. S., 2013. American Citizenship in the Revolutionary and Early National Eras. Vision and values, 343-361. Smith, R. A., 2013. The American anomaly: US politics and government in comparative perspective. London: Routledge. Sondhaus, L., & Fuller, A. J. 2007. America, War and Power: Defining the State, 1775-2005. New York: Taylor & Francis. Spanos, W. V., 2008. American Exceptionalism in the Age of Globalization: The Specter of Vietnam. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. Read More