American Exceptionalism: does it exist?

Much of the theory of American exceptionalism rose from the way America took the economic lead globally after WW2. Is there something about America that predisposed us to be world leaders in industry, business, and social justice? Or were we simply lucky to be the nation furthest from the destruction and benefitted from a head start? Discuss.

I vote for lucky.

Rocinante wrote:Much of the theory of American exceptionalism rose from the way America took the economic lead globally after WW2. Is there something about America that predisposed us to be world leaders in industry, business, and social justice? Or were we simply lucky to be the nation furthest from the destruction and benefitted from a head start? Discuss.

It dates back to the revolution and founding. It is as much political and social as it is economic.  

...and yes, geography has helped.

I'm talking more about the modern use of the term as in America is innately better than other nations. Not the idea of the US being a novel nation at the time of its founding, which it was.

Even in a modern sense, I do not hear the term discussed without reference to political and social values as well as economics.

Well "better" is subjective and so is "leaders" so define it as you will and tell me if you think it exists.

No

the idea of "America" works well for some people.. for others, not so much.. the people that it does work for are the ones that have been promoting the "America Exceptionalism" Hallmark card stuff..... of course they think it's "exceptional"...

now let's ask the people living in poverty with no healthcare.. oh, right - they don't have a microphone and a lobbyist.

America #23 in gender equity (probably lower after Hobby Lobby)
America 33rd in internet speed
America 46th in press freedoms
American 26th in child well being
America 17th in happiness
America #1 in number of super rich
America #1 in number of per capita private health expenditures
America #1 polluter in green house gasses
America #1 in imprisoning its own citizens

steveschneider wrote:

America #23 in gender equity (probably lower after Hobby Lobby)
America 33rd in internet speed
America 46th in press freedoms
American 26th in child well being
America 17th in happiness
America #1 in number of super rich
America #1 in number of per capita private health expenditures
America #1 polluter in green house gasses
America #1 in imprisoning its own citizens

thanks.. as I mentioned, the idea of "America" works for some people.. certainly not for everyone.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
thanks.. as I mentioned, the idea of "America" works for some people.. certainly not for everyone.

#1 in school shootings thanks to gun free zones. ***sarcasm***

I hear American men's sport is at an all time low too.

steveschneider wrote:

#1 people expressing their 2nd Amendment rights at schools

fixed..

Typical liberal...people who are rich are just lucky...it was by accident America is the greatest nation on Earth.

Honest question...why do liberals dislike America and what we stand for? It's not just with our country, it's your entire mindset. Attack and lash out and the wealthy and successful just like you do to our country for being great. It's like you are scared to do great things because it might make someone else feel bad. It's truly an enigma how the liberal mind operates.

The_Dude wrote:Typical liberal...people who are rich are just lucky...it was by accident America is the greatest nation on Earth.

Honest question...why do liberals dislike America and what we stand for?  It's not just with our country, it's your entire mindset.  Attack and lash out and the wealthy and successful just like you do to our country for being great.  It's like you are scared to do great things because it might make someone else feel bad.  It's truly an enigma how the liberal mind operates.

Maybe it's you that hates America, since the dialogue that protections under our constitution allow to happen hurt your widdow feewings so much.

America is so exceptional that we have a political party dedicated to making sure it's most vulnerable citizens don't receive affordable healthcare..

USA!! USA!!

The_Dude wrote:Typical liberal...people who are rich are just lucky...it was by accident America is the greatest nation on Earth.

Honest question...why do liberals dislike America and what we stand for?  It's not just with our country, it's your entire mindset.  Attack and lash out and the wealthy and successful just like you do to our country for being great.  It's like you are scared to do great things because it might make someone else feel bad.  It's truly an enigma how the liberal mind operates.

if it makes feel better, I think the same way about republicans and how their minds operate..   

I only care about Michigan State.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:America is so exceptional that we have two political parties dedicated to not making sure anything actually gets done

USA!! USA!!  

FIFY

The_Dude wrote:Typical liberal...people who are rich are just lucky...it was by accident America is the greatest nation on Earth.

Honest question...why do liberals dislike America and what we stand for?  It's not just with our country, it's your entire mindset.  Attack and lash out and the wealthy and successful just like you do to our country for being great.  It's like you are scared to do great things because it might make someone else feel bad.  It's truly an enigma how the liberal mind operates.

Typical republican, anyone you disagree with you think they 'hate america'. When a little bit of criticism comes along you all feel threatened.

The_Dude wrote:Typical liberal...people who are rich are just lucky...it was by accident America is the greatest nation on Earth.

Honest question...why do liberals dislike America and what we stand for?  It's not just with our country, it's your entire mindset.  Attack and lash out and the wealthy and successful just like you do to our country for being great.  It's like you are scared to do great things because it might make someone else feel bad.  It's truly an enigma how the liberal mind operates.

I'm not sure what label I've been assigned but it hasn't been "liberal" in awhile and I dislike America and what it stands for.

Franky, framing the question the way you have is pretty dishonest. It'd help if we can define some of the maxims that made an appearance here;

What does America "stand" for?