Exceptionalism In America

American Exceptionalism is a true and driving force in society and politics throughout America’s history, this idea can create multiple debates over opinions of the matter. First American Exceptionalism is the idea that America is exceptional to all other countries, the belief that we are dominant to anyone and that nothing stands in our way. The term American Exceptionalism is found commonly used in a political setting, but also affects the normal everyday life of all residents of the United States of America. The idea of American Exceptionalism has been a controversial topic for years now, and many scholarly authors have written their own opinion, or somehow addressed American Exceptionalism in a book or essay. A prime example of this is Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, written around 1775, in colonial times.

America has set a precedent in global history that other countries would eventually follow. Americans themselves have been regarded as the most patriotic for their country, and egotistical at that. Now when it comes to pride and confidence, one must have something to support their claims and beliefs. In America’s case, we have one of the largest economies on the planet, and one of the strongest militaries as well. How ever, one thing doesn’t seem to add up. In order to be one of the strongest economic powers, as well as militaristic. You would need very well educated citizens running the system, ranging from bank tellers, to stock investors. And even corporals, lieutenant, and sergeants need some form of proper education. Then why is it that time and time again, foreign countries are dominating us in the education field?

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. Specifically, in the 1960s, a decade where de Tocqueville’s defining characteristics of American Exceptionalism are

I agree with the Brooks quote that it is only when we take seriously the values that make America exceptional can we truly understand politics and governance in the United States. In my opinion, the constitutional ideals of the United States make America very exceptional and better than all other countries of the world. The exceptionalism has also served as a model for many other developed and developing countries to follow. The point according to Brook text is that in order to understand politics and governance in the United States, one needs to be aware of and take seriously the values and institutions that make America exceptional. We do not mean exceptional in any absolute sense, to say that Americans tend to be idealistic or religious

Exploitation is wrong, but there have been multiple times in history where men have “justified” exploitation with progress and expansion. The real question is if their claims were entirely true. In the past, America used its power to exploit, conquer, and gain a foothold in foreign continents like Asia. Some may think that America’s exploitation was completely unjust, while others think that exploitation was needed for progress. America’s exploitation during imperialism was definitely unjust. Even acts that made America seem good were just that – acts. Evidence of this can be seen in how America exploited countries by undermining local government and ideals, using military power, and reforming countries into its own image.

Any definition of the American identity involves two very opposing ideals: it must allow for cultural diversity and yet also define a need for assimilation to common expectations. It must reflect the diverse roots of its culture as well as allow for common experiences shared across lines of race, ethnicity, or religion. The early settlers found a wilderness that needed to be cleared and tamed for the establishment of a respected community. Later, it was recognized as a land of natural resources and opportunity that attracted its citizens and immigrants alike with the promise of employment and prosperity. Still later, the American identity recognized the need for its government to protect the land and its individuals, serving as a tool for

Dream come true for any family from third world country, to be a Permanent Resident of United States of America, to achieve better living standards, having an access to quality education, first class infrastructure, hospitals, homes, good neighborhood and most importantly to live an American Dream. “The American Dream is attainable, and everyone can succeed with hard work and determination. John Winthrop also wrote about this term called, American Exceptionalism. This ideology refers to the idea that Americans are the chosen ones, and that they are the light.” They, shaping America great again every era, create the destiny of youth.

I believe that being an American Is the greatest thing that could happen to a person and here is why. In the story "Veterans Day: Never Forget Their Duty" is about veterans who are P.O.W.s in North Vietnam. They were captured and tortured. But even going through all that they are still able to salute the flag of The United States Of America. A man named Mike Christian, he was the man who sewed an American flag on the inside of his shirt. Every day the would salute the flag during lunch and they would say the pledge of allegiance. One day the soldiers found the flag and beat Mike Christian severely until he was bleeding bad. Afterwards he was sitting in the only light in the room. He was sowing a new flag for them to pledge to before they eat. Mike Christian is a patriot. And being a patriot is apart of the American dream which I believe in.

In 2001, my mother was able to acquire a visa to live in the United States of America, my mother wanted to chase her American dream. She knew that where she used to live, the opportunities were not there for her. My mother saw the greatness in the US that most of us see. The US is arguably the best country in the world, and most people who live here would agree. Many different aspects of America are exceptional, especially when compared to other countries. America allows its people to strive for their own happiness. In this essay, I’d like to list off and further dive into some of the reasons why the United States of America is the best country on Earth, whether those reasons be our freedoms, opportunities, and

Throughout American history, our presidents have changed the implications by the meaning of American exceptionalism. Originally coined to mean the United States has a unique position to create a better world, the term soon morphed into an excuse to force our beliefs onto other nations. In its purest form, American exceptionalism serves as an urging for the United States to go and help nations who ask for it, and it is our duty to respond. However, various administrations have morphed this message to imply that the United States is the pinnacle of “good”, and any nation who is not following our system is “evil”. This view leads to a dangerous international affairs, and the perception Americans have of the world.

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. These include decency, honesty, compassion, and fairness. He explains that in order to avoid devastation we must remember these values when making decisions about our future. I would agree that all hope is not lost, but we will have to embrace the values that America was originally founded upon to achieve greatness once again.

Throughout history there has always been the debate, is America a land of opportunity? It is well known that situations in the past have not always been handled very professionally. With a semi-weak government and the idea that only certain criteria meeting men will amount to anything gives off the impression that not all is off to a good start. It is said that time heals all wounds, but if you look thoroughly through a history textbook it is evident that this is not always the case. To look back at things in the past you can easily tell that times were exceptionally different and harder. So to answer the question, America may have been a land of opportunity, but it was not an equal one.

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.

Many would say that America is not and never was that great, their stance on this subject would stem from historical instances that would not only be true but also fit their narrative. Instances such as; the first colonists to arrive would have essentially set the groundwork for years to come by befriending the natives then turning and stabbing them in the back, this would continue

America is a country with many strong qualities. Although America is looked up to by countless countries, and idolized by outsiders looking in, for most of citizens that is not the case. We are a free country with many qualities still held from our founding fathers that were laid out