When I use the word exceptional, I use it because I am expressing my thought or opinion
regarding the exception in that it is in fact better than the rest. After doing the reading and
listening to the presentation. I knew I needed to understand how I’d used the word and how it
differed from what I am now learning. I decided to go to the source that is probably the first
source material someone grabs when trying to understand words. I went to Merriam Webster, the
definition states “exceptionalism: the condition of being different from the norm also: a theory
expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region”
Charles Murray in his book American Exceptionalism: An Experiment In History States2“The
concept of American exceptionalism has become associated with meanings that are filled with
emotion and value judgments—intertwined with patriotism, for those who approve of it, or
connoting jingoism or chauvinism, for those who disapprove.
Eric Metaxas is his book If you can keep It the Introduction shared his perspective on
3American Exceptionalism. He brought out the hopefulness the change from a Republic to a
Democracy, governance by the people and equity for all people, would bring. He explained it this
way. A hope crafted in a document in a hundred days in 1787, which we all know as the
Constitution.
What is exceptional is the perpetual living document, for which many Americans try to exercise
or live out the liberty, the Constitution says is available.
American exceptionalism does not imply American excellence or superiority. Americans tend to
think that most of the traits of American exceptionalism are positive, but others, especially
European elites, have always disagreed. Even those of us who think they are positive must
acknowledge aspects of American exceptionalism that are problematic.
1 Merriam Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptionalism accessed March
20,20202 Charles Murray American Exceptionalism: An Experiment In History accessed MArch
20,
2020https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780844772653/epubcfi/6/10[;vnd.vst.idref=C
hapter01.xhtml]!/4/2@0:03 Eric Metaxas If You Can Keep
Ithttps://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781101980002/epubcfi/6/8[;vnd.vst.idref=x9781
101980002_EPUB-2]!/4[x9781101980002_EPUB]/2/4@0:0Accessed March 20,2020
Bobbi,
I enjoyed reading your post from this week on what is American Exceptionalism.
I said in my original post that I feel the further we get away from the original meaning and intent
of our founding the more we lose the true meaning of our exceptionalism and replace it with a
great sense of pride. I am not suggesting pride is a wrong thing to have as long it is surrounded in
humility. Patriotism, which is where pride resides is completely different than being exceptional.
What makes America exceptional is exactly in how Merriam Webster defines exceptionalism,
which is being different from the norm. That is what America was on its founding under the
Constitution. The Founders were going against the norm. Not in our rebellion but in how they
established man as sovereign when it comes to man’s government. Our sovereignty comes from
“the laws of nature and of nature’s God” and not from man’s government (Declaration of
Independence). This sets us in the position of power which as we all know that is against the
norm. This was the start of America being different from the norm, and our exceptionalism.
I look forward as this course goes to read more of your post and your insight in the topics that are
ahead of us.
References:
“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” 2020. National Archives and Records
Administration. National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed March 24.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.
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