Exceptionalism = Hubris

[Puppycow]

In several recent stump speeches, Sarah Palin has mentioned American exceptionalism^WP.

American exceptionalism (cf. "exceptionalism") refers to the belief that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nations, because of its national credo, historical evolution, or distinctive political and religious institutions.

Certain persons view American exceptionalism as a product of veiled nationalistic chauvinism, or even jingoism. The term can also be used in a negative sense by critics of American policies to refer to a willful nationalistic ignorance of faults committed by the American government.[1]

What exactly does she mean by this? I find it a little ironic, considering that she's supposed to be a Christian, and pride^WP is, according to Christian dogma, supposed to be the most serious of the Seven Deadly Sins.

In almost every list pride (or hubris or vanity) is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise.

Furthermore, this idea of American exceptionalism has caused us to get involved in expensive and pyrrhic wars on many occasions in the past as well as recently. The wars in Vietnam and Iraq are two examples of this. American exceptionalism is just a form of hubris, pure and simple.

 

[Seren_]

I am pretty sure that most people around the world think their country is also exceptionnal and as a special place in history.

Apparently the term was coined at the begginning of the XIXth century, and I agree that by the time that Alexis de Tocqueville traveled in the United States it was really "different" than the old Europe countries. A country with vast distance, a new republic who had never been ruled by a monarchy (not directly), etc.

Nowadays, with the world getting smaller and globalized, I have a hardest time to determine what is really exceptionnal ( apart obviously from its specific history).

 

[Puppycow]

Sure, every country is unique or "different." ("You are unique. Just like everybody else." )

But exceptionalism seems different from that to me. Would Sarah Palin be saying something so banal? I'd really like it if someone asked her to explain exactly what she meant by that. I wonder if she could articulate it.

What I don't like is this notion that we should act as the world's self-appointed policeman. Somehow, even if it's indirect, I see a connection between this vast expenditure of national resources and energy on wars in other countries that do not directly threaten the US, and the awful state of the economy. We're sending hundreds of billions overseas into a giant money pit. We're also sending hundreds of billions or perhaps trillions overseas due to higher oil prices. In 2003 before the invasion of Iraq, the price was around $30/barrel.

 

[Upchurch]

I'd like to see the politician who can get elected saying their constituency is just as good as the other ones.

 

[corplinx]

Its basically a cool-sounding version of national pride. I think its meant as a counter to doomy, gloomy, blames ourselves type mentality.

 

[ZouPrime]

I am pretty sure that most people around the world think their country is also exceptionnal and as a special place in history.

Hum... not sure there. Maybe in other regional powers, but certain not for "most people". For example, there's certainly no Canadian (nor Quebec) exceptionalism.

That's why it freaks us so much to see Americans genuinely believe in their implicit superiority.