GOVT 329 Discussion Board 1
The exceptional nature of America can be clearly seen throughout history. The intention
of American exceptionalism is to showcase the uniqueness of America not its superiority
(Murray, 2013). Pirnuta states that American exceptionalism is “the conviction that the US holds
a prominent place among the developed countries in the world for its treasures in Western history
standing for the center of enlightened ideas and democracy” (Pirnuta, 2017, p. 112). America is
unique in many ways, but there are some key points that encapsulate American exceptionalism.
One exceptional trait that is often overlooked is that America is a nation that has a mission to
world. Metaxas states that “a significant part of what makes us exceptional is that in some sense
we are a nation with a mission beyond ourselves and beyond our borders” (Metaxas, 2016, p.
21). A more notorious exceptional characteristic is America’s unique government that promotes
individual freedom. America’s founding fathers “created a government that maximized
individual freedoms” (Gingrich, p. 37).
I have lived in America my entire life. I also have never had the privilege to explore
another country. Which means my knowledge of how other countries operate and compare to
America is bare minimum. This little bit of knowledge is what I have learned from my own
research and the very little that I was taught in American public school. In school I have always
been taught the things that make America unique so I do find that aspect of American
exceptionalism relevant. Growing up the American public school system, I was taught that
America is a free country and there is no other country that is free like America. As a result of
that I grew up with the perspective that America is the best in comparison to other countries
because who doesn’t want to be free? In my experience, I have always felt that America has been
portrayed to be the best country and superior to other countries. While this may not have been
the intention, it still came across as such. Now, I may be biased, but I truly believe that at its
core, America is the best. Of course this is just my opinion. I also realize that America has flaws,
but I think that is the beauty of America because we the people have the power to fix those flaws
thanks to our founding fathers that made that possible by making our freedom a priority when
creating our government.
References
Gingrich, N. (n.d.). A Nation Like No Other. Retrieved from
https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/973308/sp/179337928/mi/571552460?cfi=
%2F4%2F4&menu=index
Metaxas, E. (2016). If You Can Keep It. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf]. Retrieved
from https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781101980002/
Murray, C. (2013). American Exceptionalism. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf]. Retrieved
from https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780844772653/
Pirnuta, O. (2017). American exceptionalism. Journal of Defense Resources Management, 8(2),
121-128.
REPLY 1
Hello Grant, I really enjoyed reading your discussion board post for this week’s assignment. You
brought up some excellent points about American exceptionalism. I have lived in America my
entire life and I have never been out of this country to visit any others. I also am very proud and
grateful to be an American. Gingrich states that American exceptionalism is “a visceral,
emotional attachment to America and to the common destiny we Americans share” (Gingrich, p.
55). I can absolutely see how Americans including myself can take this country for granted and
the freedoms it provides. I also agree that protesting is one of the most American things we can
do. Americans have the right to speak up when they feel their rights are being violated. I can see
how American Exceptionalism ideology gets thrown around in politics in times of crisis such as
this current Covid-19 pandemic to influence policy, Americans, and the world. Haiphong states
“The ideology has transcended numerous political and economic crises on the domestic and
global state to remain a powerful influence on US policy” (Haiphong, 2020, p. 200). I agree that
the definition of American exceptionalism does not lie with political extremists, but it does hold
an influential place in politics. Now, the question of whether American exceptionalism poses a
positive or negative influence in politics is debatable in my opinion.
References
Gingrich, N. (n.d.). A Nation Like No Other. Retrieved from
https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/973308/sp/179337928/mi/571552460?cfi=
%2F4%2F4&menu=index
Haiphong, D. (2020) The Great Unmasking: American Exceptionalism in the Age of
COVID-19, International Critical Thought, 10:2, 200-
213, DOI: 10.1080/21598282.2020.1779527
REPLY 2
Hello Jack, I really enjoyed reading our discussion board post for this week’s assignment. You
brought up some excellent points about American exceptionalism. I have to agree that upon first
hearing the term American Exceptionalism, I too found it to be a bit pretentious. However, I soon
discovered my misunderstanding for the term. As you mentioned, American exceptionalism has
an extensive historical context, but it also speaks to the identity of America and Americans.
Pirnuta states “’American exceptionalism permeates every period of American history and is the
single most powerful agent in a series of arguments that have been fought down the centuries
concerning the identity of America and Americans’” (Madsen, 1998, as cited in Pirnita, 2017, p.
122). I also agree that American exceptionalism can very easily be misunderstood in a way that
paints America in a superior light. However, as Murray states “Understanding its meaning is
indispensable for anyone who wants to understand what is has meant to be an American”
(Murray, 2013). With that being said, I agree that we should be stressing the ideas that make
America Exceptional. I think in today’s time America and the freedoms it provide get taken for
granted by Americans. Americans have power in their vote and their voices. I believe these are
two things that notoriously get taken for granted by Americans. I truly agree that if more people
understood American exceptionalism we could continue to maintain what makes America
exceptional.
References
Murray, C. (2013). American Exceptionalism. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf]. Retrieved
from https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780844772653/
Pirnuta, O. (2017). American exceptionalism. Journal of Defense Resources Management, 8(2),
121-128.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
