The Concept of American Exceptionalism
Kelly Holmes
PS 1030 FALL 2016
American Exceptionalism is a term that has been more commonly used within the past few decades. American exceptionalism is a basically a concept that is used to manipulate the American public and to guide them in a direction that is beneficial for the leaders or America in many ways. The concept is over-glorified and hides the fact that America is more ordinary than exceptional. It is used as a tactic for leaders to gain power. They can also use it to gain territory. It can be used to gain more traditions for America, as well. Also, it can be used as a distraction to hide terrible problems within the country and outside of the country. Although it is used …show more content…
They do this because of the belief they are obligated to do so, and that they are responsible to lead the world. Walt (2011) noted that Ronald Reagan has used the concept of American Exceptionalism to convey the message that there was a greater plan for America that was God given. In general, the American leaders believe and campaigned that America has some special power or authority over every other country. Many other leaders use this tactic for the same reason. This manipulates the American people to believe that there is a need to intervene in on other countries problems, and gives power to the country, and the “authority” to do so for their safety and potentially the safety of others. A good example of this is when the American government intervenes in or starts a war. The Iraq war is a more recent war in which portrays a good example of American Exceptionalism. George W. Bush was the president at the time of the war. There were thoughts and threats that there were weapons of mass destruction over in Iraq. He used the concept in the aspect that the United States had the obligation to intervene to prevent massive amounts of death and to prevent terrorism. It was a long and painful war that did not end as expected. In the reading, Myths of American Exceptionalism, Walt (2011) states that more than 100,000 people were killed due the United States invading …show more content…
With many different definitions, it is often used to fit to a circumstance. It is used to misguide the American citizens into thinking that America is better than any other country and this gives us the authority to take control over situations because it is the moral obligation that God has given the United States. American Exceptionalism is overrated because it is no different from other countries thinking they are exceptional, like the United States does. Leaders will use the concept to gain and utilize power. They also use it as a means to gain territory at the expense of others in the name of God or America. Traditions are created from this concept. American exceptionalism also is used as a distraction from the real problems that are within the country. Overall, American exceptionalism is a concept that is often taken out of context to appeal to a given situation to gain
Kelly Holmes
PS 1030 FALL 2016
American Exceptionalism is a term that has been more commonly used within the past few decades. American exceptionalism is a basically a concept that is used to manipulate the American public and to guide them in a direction that is beneficial for the leaders or America in many ways. The concept is over-glorified and hides the fact that America is more ordinary than exceptional. It is used as a tactic for leaders to gain power. They can also use it to gain territory. It can be used to gain more traditions for America, as well. Also, it can be used as a distraction to hide terrible problems within the country and outside of the country. Although it is used …show more content…
They do this because of the belief they are obligated to do so, and that they are responsible to lead the world. Walt (2011) noted that Ronald Reagan has used the concept of American Exceptionalism to convey the message that there was a greater plan for America that was God given. In general, the American leaders believe and campaigned that America has some special power or authority over every other country. Many other leaders use this tactic for the same reason. This manipulates the American people to believe that there is a need to intervene in on other countries problems, and gives power to the country, and the “authority” to do so for their safety and potentially the safety of others. A good example of this is when the American government intervenes in or starts a war. The Iraq war is a more recent war in which portrays a good example of American Exceptionalism. George W. Bush was the president at the time of the war. There were thoughts and threats that there were weapons of mass destruction over in Iraq. He used the concept in the aspect that the United States had the obligation to intervene to prevent massive amounts of death and to prevent terrorism. It was a long and painful war that did not end as expected. In the reading, Myths of American Exceptionalism, Walt (2011) states that more than 100,000 people were killed due the United States invading …show more content…
With many different definitions, it is often used to fit to a circumstance. It is used to misguide the American citizens into thinking that America is better than any other country and this gives us the authority to take control over situations because it is the moral obligation that God has given the United States. American Exceptionalism is overrated because it is no different from other countries thinking they are exceptional, like the United States does. Leaders will use the concept to gain and utilize power. They also use it as a means to gain territory at the expense of others in the name of God or America. Traditions are created from this concept. American exceptionalism also is used as a distraction from the real problems that are within the country. Overall, American exceptionalism is a concept that is often taken out of context to appeal to a given situation to gain