Do you believe in the American exceptionalism

[Godwynn]

Haters gonna hate.

 

[GoodGame]

I think there is some merit to looking at the idea. For example to see if there are historical cultural traits that might have helped.

Overall, if any such thing existed, I'd say the major benefits of it ended around Teddy Rosevelt's time. In part, by the 20th C., the USA was a majorly signficant player, in part because of its unity, but it was a complex entity (ideologically, ethnically, culturally) by the 20th C. The whole of its parts was more important than its founders' cultural background at that point. And the 20th C. showed that the USA was as vulnerable to global events as any other nation, despite the rise to prominence.

 

[SG-17]

The United States is uniquely capable of messing things up on a global scale and then laughing at it.

 

[RedRalph]

Is there an inherent conflict between being a Libertarian and believing in US exceptionalism?

 

[Xanikk999]

Defeated the Germans and saved Europe....twice

We helped, but it is naive and uninformative to think it was us or even mostly us. You can thank Stalin and the communists of the Soviet Union for breaking the german war machine.

Put a man on the moon

Wont argue with that.

Defeated Communism

This one really irks me. First off most of our efforts to combat communism during the cold war included supporting cruel dictators with minority rule against the communist supporters of their respective countries. I wouldn't call this a good thing and almost all of these dictators brought trajedy and suffering to their countries. Most of Latin America is a good example of that. Not to mention a lot of them were ousted in the end, haiti comes to mind.

Is Haiti doing good these days since we interfered?

Furthermore you can thank Mikhail Gorbachev for bringing the soviet union and international communist support down by his liberal reforms called Perestroika. By liberalizing the ruling party and allowing freedom of speech he basically plotted his own downfall. If it wasnt for him there still might be a communist Russia and an iron curtain today.

Maintains the best military in the world, that even today is defeating terrorism and extreme Islam

Yeah how about that 10+ year Afghanistan war? Sure is turning out alright huh?

George W. Bush never studied what happened when the Soviets tried to invade and support an unpopular regime in Afghanistan did he? History repeats itself.

Yes America is has a long list of achievements, and is unmatched by any other nation.

I doubt your knowledge of world history to even make such a statement informatively.

 

[RedRalph]

By the way putting a man on the moon was an absolutely outstanding achievement, I don't want to give the impression I dismiss that. Truly incredible.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

American Exceptionalism? Oh god, no.

 

[NickyJ]

I believe in American exceptionalism. We lead the world in many things, We are a rather stabilizing power in the world, and we are a force of good in the world (For the most part).

American Exceptionalism? Oh god, no.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly - Teddy Roosevelt

Spoiler what that means in other words :

P.S. That image actually comes from the same article that listed the quoted material.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

I believe in American exceptionalism. We lead the world in many things, We are a rather stabilizing power in the world, and we are a force of good in the world (For the most part).


It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly - Teddy Roosevelt

Spoiler what that means in other words :

P.S. That image actually comes from the same article that listed the quoted material.

Yes, that's all fine and dandy, but we're still equals with the rest of the world.

 

[NickyJ]

Yes, that's all fine and dandy, but we're still equals with the rest of the world.

Ehh, I don't really think we're equal to China, Kenya, India, Russia, etc.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Ehh, I don't really think we're equal to China, Kenya, India, Russia, etc.

Then how can you believe in the brotherhood of man that this nation was founded on? (allegedly)

 

[NickyJ]

Then how can you believe in the brotherhood of man that this nation was founded on? (allegedly)

May I ask where you heard that? To be honest, I've never heard that before.

 

[red_elk]

Ehh, I don't really think we're equal to China, Kenya, India, Russia, etc.

You are, don't be so self-critical.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

May I ask where you heard that? To be honest, I've never heard that before.

I figured it would have been self-evident.

 

[NickyJ]

I figured it would have been self-evident.

How so?

 

[amadeus]

Sure, I believe in it as a historical proposition.

However, I don't think it's really the case anymore. America, individualistic? Laissez-faire? That ship has long sailed.

How so?

I do declare, you're not picking up on this.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Ehh, I don't really think we're equal to China, Kenya, India, Russia, etc.

You're right, incidence of inflated sense of historical national self-worth and importance is a lot lower in China and Russia. Pretty fair to say they've got us beat.

 

[Ajidica]

Yeah, I don't think even the most rabid American nationalist has anything on their Russian (or Slavic/Armenian/Georgian) counterpart.

 

[Antilogic]

Invented Democracy

Think those ever-so exceptional Greeks might have the Brits beat there.

I don't believe people are exceptional in general, so why anyone would believe in National exceptionalism is quite puzzling.

 

[Eukaryote]

I think America plays a certain role. All the rich countries of the world are now allies. America has all the guns. It makes sense for one guy at the party to be the bodyguard. Not that violence is a good way to solve problems. It's just that having Mr. Muscle as your friend helps if Kim Jon Il wants to cause trouble.

Plus, someone has to be the epicentre of trade. They'll do.

I'm not saying I'd rather live in America than Europe. Science, Art, and a rational sense of morality are more interesting and rewarding than money and guns. I'm just saying America does its job.