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Gaven Vogt
Topic Brief
Liberty University Helms School of Government
Government 329
7/7/22
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In American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History, author Charles Murray outlines
and identifies four critical traits that were prominent in the early founding of American history
and American exceptionalism. These four traits include; egalitarianism, religiosity, community
life, and industriousness; however, industriousness is the chief trait of the group.
Cambridge University defines industriousness as "the fact of working hard." This idea of "hard
work" is a critical component that has led America to be industrious, paving the road for
technological advancement, societal improvements, etc. If America had not instilled the hard
work mentality from an early age, the capacity to be industrious would not have been such a
critical factor in the American way of life. Resulting in falling behind on a global stage and not
being the first to bring new ideas and innovations to the table; moreover, another way that
American exceptionalism is influential to a global audience. However, the Merriam-Webster
dictionary defines industriousness as "constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied"
(Merriam-Webster). However, this definition does not fully and accurately satisfy the importance
of American industriousness or hard work; anyone can be "occupied." As the Cambridge
definition supports, American industriousness would look completely different if Americans had
instilled and focused on only occupying time rather than strategically working hard. The
emphasis Cambridge places on hard work is vital to the definition of industriousness.
Industriousness is more than "hard work," as Murray articulates in American
Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History, he writes, industriousness "signifies the bone-deep
American assumption that life is to be spent getting ahead through hard work and thereby
making a better life for oneself and one's children" (Murray 2013). The fruition of
industriousness in America is perfectly articulated in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "Remember this:
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Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously." The hardworking settlers who triumphed over the North Atlantic cut down trees and
forests with their bare hands and seized the resources and land that future America had to offer,
starting the American understanding and quality of industriousness.
Newt Gingrich wrote in A Nation like No Other: Why American Exceptionalism Matters
that America's ability to be forward-looking is critical to its work ethic and wealth creation.
Thus, America has created a platform for not only freedom but the freedom of limitations in
industriousness, allowing for improved quality of life, prosperity, and being the first for
innovations. Further, industriousness and the willingness to work hard and recognize opportunity
have led to economic independence for America.
The ability to be economically independent, in turn, allows for America to positively
influence and help other nations. This, in turn, directly affects how other countries view
America. "In certain countries, opinions of the U.S. also differ by ideological orientation. In
seven of the 12 countries where ideology was measured, people on the right of the ideological
spectrum are more likely to have a favorable view of America than those on the left. This gap is
widest in France and Sweden, where roughly three-quarters of those who place themselves on
the right have a favorable opinion of the U.S., compared with only about half of those on the left.
Double-digit ideological gaps are also present in Greece, Australia, Spain, the U.K., and Canada"
(Wike, R., & Poushter, J, 2020). Thus, if most international relationships are pro-America, their
ability to be receptive to economic, political, and social issues increases. Moreover, if other
countries can recognize the industriousness of America and the prosperity it brings, it can bring
betterment on an international scale.
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Industriousness is the most important of the four traits mentioned by Murray; it has had
the most considerable impact on foreign and domestic economies and the overall presuppositions
of America by foreigners. Part of the drive that is so attractive about American industriousness is
that it can be pursued through entrepreneurship, which relates directly back to 2 Corinthians 9:6
and reaping what is sewn. This idea of industriousness is why foreigners want to dwell and
migrate to America, to become part of the American Dream and live in the land of opportunity.
Further, "industriousness is the story of the American Dream" (Marshall, 1970); it allows one to
pave their destiny through entrepreneurship, capitalism, and free trade, all ideas created and
formed around industriousness. The American Dream is a source of global inspiration and
signifies a way of life through freedom, working hard, and independence that allows the pursuit
of wealth and success. Further, industriousness has profoundly and positively affected American
exceptionalism and the American Dream, furthering the narrative that the only limitations in life
are the ones people put on themselves. Hard work and diligence help reach the goal of maximum
return.
Moreover, Murray also writes in Belmont and Fishtown, "American exceptionalism is not
just something Americans claim for themselves. Historically, Americans have been seen as
different, even peculiar, to people worldwide. I am thinking of qualities such as American
industriousness—not just hard work, but how Americans have treated their work and efforts to
get ahead as a central expression of who they are" (Murray, 2012). This idea is fundamental to
understanding that the idea of American Exceptionalism is not one of betterment or selfishness
but that the American way of life is different. The priority of Americans to "get ahead in life" is a
driving force for them to innovate, be the best person they can be, and work hard.
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Moreover, these intrinsic values will be extrinsically seen and bring a better country and world.
However, there are positive effects of industriousness, and when acted on healthily can
be very significant for a country. However, there are adverse effects of industriousness when
acted on poorly. This is found in
Proverbs 23:4-5, "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease
from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly
makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." Working hard, gaining wealth,
and using those things for good are essential. Yet, but Proverbs teaches us to be wary of making
money and work, the reason for living, and the "why" behind doing what you do. Industriousness
is a significant factor in the American way of life, but it is not the only factor in providing for a
family. One can provide as much monetary value to a family as they want, but if there is a
missing parent or parents to be there for the family, it is pointless; money cannot fill the void of a
missing parent.
This trait of industriousness is very prominent and alive in America today; a recent study
by PEW research showed that a majority of international people, 80 percent of the time, see
Americans as hardworking and 78 percent of the time as optimistic (Pethokoukis, J, 2016). A
prime example of this is Silicon Valley, "the world's preeminent hub for technology; Silicon
Valley is a byword for innovation. Today, it is home to the headquarters of many of the world's
largest high-tech corporations, including over thirty businesses in the Fortune 1000 and
thousands of promising startups. Further, Silicon Valley accounts for one-third of venture capital
investment throughout the nation" (Athanasia, G, 2022). These astounding numbers, success, and
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innovations are not from good fortune, luck, or intelligence. It is from the United States' ability
to Be industrious and work hard, resulting in being a world leader in new-age technology and
innovations that impact and influence the world for the greater good.
The influence that America has globally on technological innovations and advancements
shows the impact that the idea of "hard work" has prospered into fruition for generations to
come. This idea of industriousness has always been relevant and significant to the American way
of life and what makes America different and exceptional. The numbers that Pethokoukis
provide from the PEW research center speak for themselves; the way foreigners see Americans
as hardworking and optimistic speaks volumes about our culture.
All in all, industriousness has been sewn into the American mentality and way of life. The
American's ability to "get ahead" in life and seek to bring the American dream into fruition for
themselves and their families is evident and can be seen throughout history through innovations
and influences America has on the global stage. This installment of hard work and sacrifice
America's earliest settlers brought to this country has propelled the country forward and
impacted it positively on a global stage. More often than not, this has resulted in other countries
seeing Americans as optimistic and hardworking. This results in the positive impact these
countries allow America to have on them. It would not be there if it were not for industriousness
and America's ability to work hard, innovate, and cultivate influence on foreign nations. Thus,
industriousness is the most crucial trait that Charles Murray writes about. Furthermore, it would
not allow America's position to be a global leader.
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Bibliography
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