Historians across the world have pondered over the idea of American exceptionalism. In Seymour Martin Lipset’s “American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword” and Ian Tyrrell’s “Is America Exceptional?” spoke of the debated topic of American exceptionalism. Exceptionalism is an idea in which a nation does not conform to the normal ways of life and history. Historians claim America is exceptional when comparing it to other nations. Lipset discusses America as a place that is exceptional but describes how being exceptional has both positive and negative effects. While Tyrell states it is impossible to decide whether america is truly exceptional or not due to the fact that there is not enough historiological unbiased evidence.
In Lipset’s article,
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The differences between Europe and America was emphasized. But in order to understand whether America is exceptional or not it must be compared to other countries. “The history of the United States cannot be exceptional unless contrasted with other histories that conform with fixed patterns of historical development”(Tyrrell 15). This means that America can be compared with other countries unless those countries have fixed patterns of historical development. America must be compared and contrasted with other histories which have similar and fixed patterns. Ian says that the argument of exceptionalism is difficult to explain because if a nation is different from other nations then it would be difficult to compare it to such nations. Therefore, it is american exceptionalism is a heated topic. Tyrell states that all histories are different but America is believed to be the most exceptional because it has the greatest number of differences. Tyrrell states that the issue with American exceptionalism is the tendency to compare whole nations rather than make transnational connections. In order to compare America to other nations comparisons can be made in religions, social life, and the classes. The world must evolve to an international age in which we make comparisons on global connections which in the long run will be …show more content…
Although, Lipset noticed that America being exceptional was both good and bad because it was a nation which had no influence put upon it. This meant that there was more equality, less corruption, but at the same time, there were less benefits for people in need such as welfare programs, and plans for the poor. Whereas in Tyrrell’s article, Tyrrell wrote of how America can only be proven exceptional if it was compared nationally as well as internationally. Therefore when the theory of American exceptionalism is spoken of it must compare issues within the state to common issues outside
Prologue The book Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America, contains specific days and events that have not been actually considered a “big deal”, but has significantly contributed to the present situation in America. It explores themes such as; National Identity, American Democracy, American Creed, and Democratic Revolution. It also sheds light on the ideology of being born equal, or being made equal. It places emphasizes on the fact that history is often a result of a great impersonal forces and that change can be extremely slow.
What makes the United States unique and great is not a pledge, a flag, or a song, all of which are more properly labeled culturally temporary symbols of patriotism. The United States is the summation of many ethnic, religious and political backgrounds. David Brooks’ reason for writing “One Nation, Slightly Divisible” included the goal of finding the underlying cause of the divide between the social and economic aspects of our society.
The United States of America has a rich history filled with success, failure, courage, and drive. Millions have come seeking the “American Dream” and to live in the land of the free. The past is what has shaped this nation’s present and future. Yet, as time drifts, the world around us changes. What was once deemed acceptable can now seem outdated in today’s society.
Famous French historian Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “America is great because she is good. If America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” (qtd. in Carson 651.) In “Recovering America’s Exceptionalism,” Ben Carson explains how we are losing touch with the values that once made America a great country.
The Revolution That Brought It All Century after century the human race repeatedly makes history an astonishment through gifted historians, scientists, and politicians whom have brought us warfare, revolutions and independence. These historical individuals and events have made our country patriotic, diverse and legendary. Our country has demonstrated courage and independence all through the French and Indian War through the independence of the United States. As a result, the American society has been given righteousness and freedom due to the rebellious and subversive American Revolution.
As an American, one could ashamed of the actions and policies of the US government; unfortunately, much of America’s history has followed the trend of oppression and imperialism started by those first European settlers, who colonized the Americas and supplanted the Native Americans. Hidden in the great American success story, lies a darker history of those who didn’t win, those who never got to write the history books. The descendants of the European settlers, who eventually founded the United States of America and its government, have not only taken land from Native Americans, but they have repeatedly violated their basic human rights over hundreds of years. Similarly, the U.S. has subjugated, oppressed, or killed people of other nationalities
Throughout history America has had hundreds of transformative events that have changed the course of history through political, economic, and sociocultural effects. The most significant events aren’t the ones everyone remembers for being exciting but rather the ones that have impacted society and individuals the most. Many of these events that have shaped America most profoundly include wars, presidents, supreme court decisions, but they also include such events such as natural disasters, fires, and even scientific findings. Each event has not only impacted the time period it was set in but also may even still be impacting our lives today. By studying and analyzing America’s history one can learn the struggles and triumphs of a young nation that became the superpower it is today.
Perhaps we can't. So rather, let us look at what makes America unique compared to other
It seems to be easier for an American citizen to name quotes from movies or lyrics from popular songs than to explain the United States of America’s effect on the world. The Oblivious Empire written by Mart Hertsgarrd discusses how America’s society seems to not comprehend how our government treats other countries and seems too naïve on the reasons why other countries or groups of people do not like us. Hertsgarrd discusses how the United States truly treats countries around the world and the consequences our actions have caused. An analysis of Hertsgarrd essay shows strong points on how our society is oblivious to the world outside our country and do not truly know how our government affects the world. Throughout Hertsgarrd essay he describes how the United States government tends to believe they have the right to be the judge on how other countries’ treatment of their citizens and
The history of the United States of America is vast and complex, encompassing thousands of events that all helped form it into a modern day superpower. When reflecting on the history of America, many historians remind us of major events that changed the course of the country's development. Many authors of these works analyze American historical events through the perspective of the people living through that event or through a 21st-Century viewpoint. However, there are fewer authors who are able to successfully illustrate more about an event than what can be visibly seen or inferred by a reader. Mark Feige, a history professor and writer, is one of the few authors who is able to uncover additional information in American history.
Individuals lay the foundation of America. The Founding Fathers of this unique nation broke their allegiance with Great Britain to create an improved governing body. They desired an individual-centered authority as opposed to Britain’s monarchy, which ruled with tyranny. These Founding Fathers experienced a neglectful democratic monarchy that cared little about the ethical treatment of its people. The domineering actions of Britain challenged these historic individuals to form a new cultural identity.
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.
That’s a fairly simplistic notion and the focus of my essay explores whether this literal interpretation can still apply in today’s more complex society or whether being an American requires more than that. As I try to answer this question myself, I began first by trying to inventory the things I appreciate most about America. I quickly determined that the things I cherish most might be quite different than my other classmates, friends, and possibly my own family and that’s when I realized that the discretion to express your own ideas and to think
America’s identity is defined differently by every individual. Ideally it was to be a place of freedom and acceptance, identified by its message of liberty and hard-work, however the question arises whether America is a melting pot in which only one culture dominates or it a mosaic of many peoples’ histories. America’s potential and true identity lies within its ability to assimilate and create a natural individualism despite race, class, and immigration standing. A country as powerful and influential as America is within industry, politics, and socioeconomics cannot be abstract in definition.
All nations at one point have experienced a few different types of challenges in their history. America suffered through plenty of challenges throughout its history that have been overcome. America has been through many obstacles, but they were only realized after the problem was solved or confronted. These challenges include slavery, women’s rights, tyrants, terrorists, and innumerable more. Though confronted with challenges throughout America’s history, the main three obstacles in America today is the divisions between the public, sensitivity of some individuals, and sense of entitlement among some of the youth.