Chapter 1 - American Exceptionalism

Question 1

8 Things that Make America “Exceptional” as Perceived by the Population (PALAGIS)

Answer 1

1. Absence of rigid hierarchy
2. Lack of socialism
3. Small government
4. Pluralist Christian tradition
5. Civic nationalism
6. Geographic and social mobility
7. Immigration Waves
8. American destiny

Question 2

Lack of a Rigid Hierarchy… Expand

Answer 2

• In contrast to Europe, they had no formal aristocracy/monarchy. No land-based titles.
• This leads to American ‘egalitarianism’, or the American Dream.

Question 3

Two Critiques of the Rigid Hierarchy Thing

Answer 3

Slavery and people being born into immense wealth.

Question 4

Lack of Socialism… Expand.

Answer 4

They are just traditionally a very classical liberal country. Their birth came out of this view that government is oppressive.
Many believe it stems from people moving to America and having to make opportunities for themselves without the government.
Frontier theory.

Question 5

Conservatism and Liberalism in the US as known by the Population

Answer 5

Conservatives = classical liberals with some classical conservatism
Liberals = social liberalism with a tiny bit of socialism

Question 6

Pluralistic Christian Tradition

Answer 6

To contrast with sectarian conflict in Europe, America strived to be pluralistic in terms of Christianity. This supposedly extends to other races/religions now.
The originated through Protestant persecution and sectarian conflict in the states.

Question 7

Geographic and Social Mobility

Answer 7

They have similar mobility rights - closely tied to Frontier thesis. Unlike in Europe, land was just ‘there for the taking’. This symbolized class mobility.
Social mobility is an American narrative. Abraham Lincoln is an example.
This goes hand in hand with their supposed egalitarianism.

Question 8

Integration of Immigrants

Answer 8

They have a tradition of ‘immigrants’ (colonizers), coming. Then they’ve created this narrative where they’ve always accepted immigrants (huddled masses).

Question 9

A Belief in American Mission/Destiny

Answer 9

Demonstrates to the rest of the world a better way to live (i.e. freedom, liberalism)
This belief is what empowers policymakers to do certain things, regardless of any real exceptionalism.
It has evolved greatly over the course of its history from isolationism to internationalism, to expansion etc.

Question 10

Origins of American Exceptionalism

Answer 10

The American Revolution :o

They abandoned persecuted conservatives and it therefore became a haven for liberals.

Question 11

Strong Civic Nationalism Based on an American Identity

Answer 11

With secularism being a thing, it operates as a civic religion almost.

Question 12

Decline and Exceptionalism

Answer 12

Around WWII, the U.S. had unprecedented power, and created institutions to further their interests (IMO). Some worry there is a decline in U.S. power.
Problems: how do you measure that? Absolute power or relative power? Military, economy, knowledge, production?

Question 13

Ups and Downs of Decline Sentiment

Answer 13

The loss of a war to small country in Asia was the first major blow to American exceptionalism. Coalition that overthrew Saddam Husain’s army and the fall of Soviet Union gave them hope again. The War in Iraq and WMD thing has challenged it again. The recession in 2008-09 and the rise of China has furthered questioned it. Domestic issues of racial tension, poor education, human rights violations, and inequality have hurt their international image.

Question 14

Attributes of American Exceptionalism According to Textbook

Answer 14

1. Idealism (Faith in progress, human perfectibility)
2. Populism (Gov’t belongs to people, absence of hierarchy) 3. Materialism (Wealth as a symbol of status and work)
3. Individualism (Individual is the basic unit of society, self-help)
4. Egalitarianism (Equality of opportunity, no strict status)
5. Openness (Transparency and mistrust of authority)
6. Religiosity