The United States was established out of a revolution. The American society is organized around an idea which includes a certain dogmatic state on the characteristics of a good and ideal society. American Exceptionalism is made up of this belief. The ‘ism’ part of the concept indicates that it is a prevalent ideology just like the dominant ones like liberalism and communism. G. K Chesterton asserted that the United States of America is the nation in the world that has been established on a particular creed. The declaration of independence in the United States in 1776 gave theological lucidity to the concept of American Exceptionalism.
The ideology for all Americans in the nation is liberty, individualism, egalitarianism, laissez-faire and populism. In the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, the dominant creed was liberalism as independence was then the most pressing necessity of the society in general. This can be perceived through Toryism which was conservative in nature, mercantilism, and statist communitarianism (Lipset, 1). The noblesse oblige was dominant in monarchial, state and church constituted cultures.
American Exceptionalism and Foreign Policy Politics
The politics of foreign policy can be perceived in the context of the dominant political parties in the United States. The country’s political class has missed the step with the public as none of them is apparently serious in dealing with the fiscal crisis of the nation. The republican side is unwilling to cut down military spending. The democrats on the other hand do not want to reduce spending on entitlement.
The parties insist on their warfare and welfare state in a non-relenting bid to protect their constituencies and priorities. The practices of both the republics and the democrats possess some Exceptionalism that promotes irresponsibility when dealing with fiscal policies, which directly impacts on the foreign policies.
In terms of foreign policy, John Quincy Adams proposed a non-interventionist or no interruption foreign policy. In an address made by Quincy to Congress in the year 1821, he asserted that non-intervention is the principle behind preserving American individualism and the most importantly, the American Exceptionalism essence.
The founders of Exceptionalism held that active diplomacy with other nations and defending the American borders was the best defense. The United States did not need to go abroad searching for the bad nations (monsters) in order to destroy them. The nation also needed to stop entangling alliances that had been formed by other states especially during times of war. The founder’s beliefs have so far been well executed. For instance, during the Second World War, the United States of America entered the war as a mere victim of circumstances otherwise it had maintained its neutral position. This was after the Japanese violated the human rights of innocent American citizens.
American Exceptionalism and Domestic Issues
American Exceptionalism in the social domestic concept touches on the special characteristic of the United States as a free nation and primarily on the ideals of democracy and personal state liberty. However, there are political differences and variations brought about by material differences. As a country, the United States has resources and wealth all over which are believed to be the result of the independence of the people of American people. This is because the inhabitants of the North are believed to have had a rich inheritance basing on the possessions of their fore-fathers.
Socially, there is a negative conceptualization of American Exceptionalism. The United States ahs in certain situations been thought to be an unfriendly place. There were incidences of racism, violence, and classism. The nation has been thought to be exceptionally bad pointing back to the times of Martin Luther King JR when segregation was then prevalent. Crime has also been a part of the American society for quite a long time as much as the United States boasts of state of the art security agencies.
The social ills can be explained by the supposed reasons why the United States did not undergo the impact of the rise of socialism. The Marxist asserted that the United States suffers a lot of class conflict compared to the other nations.
Exceptionalism holds that the best defense is economic prosperity. The financial crisis in the U.S gives a new definition to a strong defense. The founders clearly explained this concept. They said that the constitution does not need a large military in order to offer protect the nation. The Founders were particularly afraid of the military in the reference to the amount of spending. A constitution was put into place to make state work for the ruling individual and party.
Conclusion
Pro American Exceptionalism is the best principle to be adopted. Exceptionalism ensures that the state keeps to itself and offers negligible interference in the affairs of other states. Around the world, the United States is engaged in many military operations. At times it creates more enemies than friends, evidenced by the terrorist attacks and several other such attempts. Exceptionalism would even ensure that factors like racism are avoided and that all members of the society are equally treated. The constitution would also be the prime ruler and not the decisions of an individual.
Works Cited
Lipset, Seymour M. American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996. Print.
