Consider the idea that the United States is 'exceptional' and therefore exempt from traditional rules governing international be - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages This concept has its origin from US political institutions formed from 1776-1789, the declaration of US independence in 1776, the American revolution of 1776-83, and the adoption of American constitution in 1787. The American Revolution and its liberation from the British are historical aspects of American exceptionalism. The American’s prosperity has its origin in political differences, social mobility, assimilation of immigrants, liberty of Americans, and America’s vast resources. Discussion The history of America is inadequate because many aspects have been left out or are distorted in the traditional narratives. This particularly relates to the history of American Indians and their contribution to American history (Tyrrell, 2010). The issues of races and slavery are tragic exception in American history. The end to the slave trade was a rebirth of freedom in America. Ignatieff (2005) says that Americanism exceptionalism has a negative perspective which explains that US is exceptionally unpleasant, violent and racist. The term exceptionalism was first coined by the German Marxists who intended to offer an explanation behind US rising above socialism and Marxism and embracing capitalism. However, Marxists conclude that exceptionalism is more than class conflict. Other scholars prefer to use the term uniqueness or differences to explain US exceptionalism. United States exceptionalism has been argued to emerge from its political, religious and intellectual aspects. It is also perceived to be enduring. Kolodziej and Roger (2008) notes American exceptionalism is a fundamental determinant of the American Psyche and has its values embedded in the culture of Americans civilians. The term has assumed changes over time which can be clearly seen from the reign of various US presidents. For example, President Thomas Jefferson rejected the rule of European countries through voting and dictatorship. President Washington tried to insulate US politics from corruption and foreign intervention, Abraham Lincoln strived to unify Americans and President Andrew Jackson tried to raise the status of US citizens. President Delano Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson made efforts to make the world safe for trade and democracies through their intervention, which made World War I and II come to an end. President Truman identified American security, democratic values and US economic well being as necessary in competition with the Soviet Union. President Regan Portrayed US as an exceptional country that should be emulated by other nations. President George W. Bush tried to maximize freedom available to the Americans (Kolodziej and Rogers, 2008) Kolodziej and Rogers (2008) focus their discussions on how president George W. Bush American regime interpreted exceptionalism to expand the American powers. Exceptionalism provides US a justification for the rejection of foreign policy, which US views as misguided and the criticism by US citizens to increase the scope of international law and institutions. President Bush tried to maximize Americans freedom through US powers, global objectives, and moral status at the expense of reforming America’s image in the face of other countries internationally. The main focus of US in the present days is to resist any limitations on its powers as it pursues its aspiration of exceptionalism worldwide. This can be clearly seen from the little support provided to International Criminal Court (ICC) by US. The ...Download file to see next pagesRead More