Do you buy into the notion of American Exceptionalism?

[Perky]

[geek tragedy]

1. How does one define 'exceptionalism?'

The US is a unique nation in many ways.

[Telly Savalas]

24. All countries are unique. Exceptionalism is the belief that we're uniquely unique.

I'm all for a "root for the home team" concept of patriotism. (And folks who think that such patriotism is my last refuge can blow me.)

However American Exceptionalism is an arrogant species of nationalism that leads to bad foreign policy.

[bluestateguy]

2. I love this country very much

But it is not "exceptional", at least not in the ways that the adherents of that ideology seem to believe.

[old mark]

3. Other; The US IS exceptional, but not in the ways most people like to think.

The "land of the free and home of the brave" is nonsense, but the US has many great points and ideas..sadly many have been corrupted by those seeking to exploit them...many in government and many of the rich.


mark

[ProSense]

4. Maybe the U.S. is no different from any other country

Those of us who live here likely believe this is a better country, though some might feel trapped.

Wonder what kind of response a poll like this would generate in other countries?

This country has potential and promise. It could be a great country.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I answered "Yes"

because I think Americans are exceptionally ignorant.

[DBoon]

6. exceptional in many bad ways

of industrialized nations, it has exceptionally high crime, high imprisonment rates, low life expectancy, high infant mortality, most unequal income distribution....

[Yavin4]

7. The Philosophical Concept That Is America Is Indeed Exceptional, Revolutionary, and Progressive

The actual implementation of that philosophical construct is far from exceptional. Maybe it's just too difficult for humans to live up to the concept that is America.

[Perky]

8. The results of this poll are very telling

If the same poll was offered on Free Republic what do you think the numbers would show?

[stevenleser]

32. I'm willing to bet that most of the 23 who voted 'Yes' do not understand what

American Exceptionalism means. If so, they are on the wrong website IMHO.

[dionysus]

9. no, we used to have it, long ago, for a little while.

[Enrique]

10. no

these days, it's an excuse to get around international law.

[applegrove]

11. We do rely on the USA for leadership in many international areas. But that somehow

US citizen are more special than any other citizens of the world?... no.

[slackmaster]

12. Fuck yeah!

[hulka38]

13. The phrase is used

as a rationalization that we can exploit and bomb the crap out of "other" people and still feel good about ourselves.

[pscot]

14. It's a bunch of bullshit

The kleptocrats use it to justify our imperial ambitions and pull the wool over the eyes of the public. Bogus patrotism and the white man's burden. The exceptional was what happened in the late 1700's. Those men are long gone. I haven't seen anyone in office lately who reminds me of George Washington.

[jdp349]

15. I have a working definition of American Exceptionalism

The belief that the United States being the greatest political force for good in the world is morally justified in pursuing whatever means deemed necessary to secure and expand power and influence

[robcon]

16. I think America is an exceptional country.

Economy, freedom, accomplishments.

[FrenchieCat]

17. As an immigrant for one of those socialist European countries, the ones who claim Freedom Fries, and

where my future would have been negatively different had I remained there (with proof
per, my first cousins who stayed and are of the exact same background as I), I say YES!

For those who have had priviledge of being born here, and therefore may not see it,
the truth is that America is an exceptional country....and is unlike any other.

[Hawkowl]

18. Exceptionally greedy assholes...

Well, then yes, I do buy into American exceptionalism.

[Monk06]

19. Exceptional would mean the freeest, best educated, most tolerant and most independent. IOW Finland

[FrenchieCat]

20. Comparing what a country of 5.4 million folks who all mostly look alike

to a country of 300 million is rather silly, IMO.

Helsinki, the largest city in Finland has a smaller population than the City of San Francisco, and yet Finland has got more land per person than most country. In addition, the only immigrant issue they've had was when 41,000 Swedes emigrated there in the 1970s. They don't truly need an army, cause like most of Europe, they rely on the United States to serve as their global police.

I'm certain if America didn't have to deal with issues of Immigration, had a non diverse populace (where everyone is White) with plenty of leg room and not having to feel the need to serve as the world's police (since the end of WWII), it too could be comfy cozy. But fortunately, America isn't Finland, nor Sweden; instead, it is a heavily populated country with a very diverse population who spends too much of its money on defense. But beyond that.....Finland isn't a land that screams opportunity for very many, nor has it ever been.

[Monk06]

21. Just so you know I'm not Finnish. But I do really hate this exceptionalism crap

It's based on a nineteenth century notion that Americans
were chosen by God to rule the Western Hemisphere, with
Washington, the 'New Jerusalem', as it's capital.

I don't buy the notion that America's problems are based
on the size and diversity of it's population.

America's problems are based on fact that so many people believe
in the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny still. Even if only in a small
way, by thinking being American is special, that there are no
people better than Americans.

It's balderdash and the rest of the world is getting pretty sick of hearing
it.

[FrenchieCat]

22. Well, as an immigrant to the US, my family has prospered here.....

and my many cousins and their families who stayed behind in France did not.

There's a reason for that.

[Monk06]

23. Yes there is a reason but it has nothing to do with your good fortune or your cousin's

poor fortune. Those two quite different situations have
nothing to do with America being exceptional or France
being a socialist hell hole, as our RW friends are
fond of calling it.

Prospects in France are not good for Blacks, Arabs, or any
other non native French citizens. But America is not exactly
holding out it's hand to new emigrants. Just ask the Poles
who still have to apply for a visa to visit the US and they
are a Nato country !!!

[FrenchieCat]

25. Thank you.....

because when you say...."Prospects in France are not good for Blacks, Arabs, or any
other non native French citizens"...it means that to me, the rest of the government goodies
France or other countries might have to offer doesn't make up for that.

[Monk06]

26. France and Japan are very much alike in that way. If you are a native citizen, upper middle class

and go to the right schools your life is pretty secure.

If you are an Arab in France or a Korean in Japan you
are not considered a second class citizen. You aren't
considered a citizen at all.

In Japan Koreans cannot become Japanese citizens, nor
can any foreigner even if your family has lived in Japan
for several generations.

Compare that to the Teabaggers who want to repeal the 14th
Amendment and the Dredd Scott decision to deny citizenship
to the children of immigrants born in the US.

America is exceptional only in the same way as France and Japan
are exceptional; that is their mutual fear of losing control of
their countries to 'foreigners'. Especially poor brown ones with
funny accents.

[FrenchieCat]

27. Yes. That's why I like America.

Rather than working in the French Government ran Hospitals for my entire life
as an orderly or a janitor,
and them believing that I should feel good about it all
due to great vacation time off,
I was able to go to college instead, and raise children who, in turn,
graduated from Ivy League University (including Harvard).

I find that for me, this country has been exceptional
and I'm really very glad I came here. :hi:

[Newcanuck]

30. US as global police

Really? You really still believe that one? Most of the world would be happy if the World's Cop (TM) would keep its activiies within its own borders. Since the end of WWII they've caused a lot more problems than they've solved.

[mmonk]

28. To me, exceptional would be how it treats the least of its citizens.

Not how many countries it can conquer and plunder or how many people it can kill. But conquerors always think themselves superior.

[obxhead]

29. We're exceptional alright. Just in all the wrong demographics. nt

[stevenleser]

31. I think you should have defined American Exceptionalism for people with the poll.

Every country is Exceptional in some way(s) and most of the population of most countries think that their country is exceptional.

American Exceptionalism, however, refers to a specific policy or policy justification that basically says, as one or more responders already pointed out, that anything the US does in its foreign policies and military policies is justifiable BECAUSE we are so exceptional.

THAT is a dangerous idea. I voted No and it is something I have argued against in appearances.

[stevenleser]

33. The Russia Today show CrossTalk is going to have a lively debate on this airing Monday

Those who do not get Russia Today on their cable/satellite networks can see it at www.rt.com or on Youtube