An Anatomy Of American Exceptionalism

This dissertation made a comprehensive and intensive anatomy of the political term "American Exceptionalism" from historical and comparative perspective,and made significant contributions in many aspects.Considering all valid debate must be based on the same platform,it is necessary to make clear and exact definitions of the term.The etymological analysis leads to the conclusion that the same signifier 'American Exceptionalism' has many signified meanings,the author classifies them into six meanings:American Socialist Exceptionalism,American Capitalism Superiority,American Identity/character Exceptionalism,American International Status Exceptionalism,American Religion Exceptionalism,and the Belief of the America beyond the Historical Law.Bearing in mind that in specific context these meanings may be connected and intertwined with each other,it is important to know what you are talking about.Through analysis of historical records,the author concludes that American Exceptionalism is no exception in world history,it is developed on the basis of previous Exceptionalisms,a new exception from old exceptions.In brief,Western Europe is an exception of the world;the British Empire is an exception in Europe,then American Exceptionalism born from British Exceptionalism,and grown up in the new world.Although the United States is deferent,but its exceptionality is open to discussion.Admittedly,the United States represent the newest results of mankind in several respects,but it is not an absolute and all-around phenomenon.American Exceptionalism is just another Exceptionalism in world history,it has more religious,mythical,rather than factual meanings.American Exceptionalism deeply influenced U.S.foreign policy traditions;the history of the united states has displayed a remarkably constant foreign policy tradition-Hilde Eliassen Restad labels it unilateral internationalism.It is based on national interests and capacity,in deferent period it may take on the face of the exemplary version or the missionary version.There are two souls of American Exceptionalism:the 'thesis'-the Lockeanism or the Lockean liberalism,and the'antithesis'-the Jacksonian tradition or Jacksonian nationalism.In most cases,the'thesis' hold sway,while the 'antithesis' may come to the surface abruptly in certain period.Both the 'thesis' and the 'thesis' Provide powerful ideological basis for unilateral internationalism.From the historical records and files,the author summed up seven pairs of inherent contradictions of American Exceptionalism:First,the contradiction between the abstract America and the concrete America,that's why the reality always can not match the ideal,and the commitments often fail to carry out facing the tests.Second,the contradiction between piety and impiety.American Exceptionalism stem from Puritanism,but gradually human arrogance and falsehood lead them further away from God,and made them violate the Spirit of the Bible.Third,double standards in freedom,democracy,and human rights.'Let those who comply with me thrive and those who resist me perish'.Those who conform to the United States' will and interests can be allies irrespective of democracy or dictatorship,America will not put pressure on them for democracy promotion;but to those who challenge to American hegemony or violate American interests,the United States was determined to destroy them with all means,including weapons of morality.In many cases America even destroy democracy and violate human rights flagrantly.Fourth,the contradiction between parochial nationalism and cosmopolitanism.The former is based on the status of an ordinary country,while the latter is the deeds of a role of world leader.Fifth,the contradiction between uniqueness and universality of American Values.The Americans that they are unique in their creed,at the same time they believe that it is their mission to teach the world their value.So there comes a logical Paradox:if American Value or Creed is universal,then there is no exceptionality in the United Staes.Sixth,the contradiction between collective security and absolute security.American is the advocator of collective security,while in practice it always insist absolute security of it's own land,so collective security is for others,and absolute security is for America.The last,the contradiction between multiculturalism and WASP tradition.Both of them advocate American Exceptionalism,but they have deferent emphasis.The author summarized three historical laws or Modes in the development of American Exceptionalism:First,the Mode of Exodus.Exodus is a source of American collective memory or imagine.It is a metaphor or symbol,the historical logic is persistent.This mode includes two sub-modes:The chosen people mode:part of the people went through a long journey or march,with innumerable adventurous experiences and hardships,sacrifices,suffered heavy casualties,only a small number of them survived,then they believed that it is hand of God is choosing them.That is the common memory of the pilgrims,immigrants,and settlers.Their survival and triumph proved that they the chosen people,they succeed just because their faith in God.Faith loss and regain mode:in Exodus,the Israelites' faith in God several times wavered,suspected.They even violated the law of God and worship Golden Calf.Deservedly they are punished by God,then,led by Moses,they regained the belief in God and got blessed,overcome all the difficulties and hardships in the way,I the endthey arrived at Canaan land flowing with milk and honey.This belief-loss-punished-regained belief-got special providence mode appeared again and again in the history of American Exceptionalism.So,only if the United States Adhere to the belief in God,insist that they have special providence,Uphold the ideals of the founding fathers,be determined to strengthen their country as City upon a hill,Beacon of Liberty,in short,only of they insist on American Exceptionalism,America will march from victory to victory,and be the world leader for ever;if they lose this belief,if they no longer believe they are exceptional,then the United States will be doomed to decline and demise.Second,the mode of constructing enemy and demonizing the opponent.There has been a time-honored tradition of constructing enemy and demonizing the opponent mode in Anglo-American political culture.It consist a series of means,including but not limited to:Occupy the moral high ground with the name of beliefs,justice,freedom,smear the enemy even use evidence of falsification,describe the opponent as Satan without humanity,so,for the United states,the only choice is to destroy the enemy completely.This mode is more suitable for democracies for their freedom of speech and competition of mass media.These means have transcend the skill level,and constitute a part of the political culture.Third,the mode of Redeemer nation-paternity-patriarchy-leader role.In foreign relations,the United States is accustomed to act as the leading role.In deferent context it take on deferent faces:it may be a Redeemer nation,or a father teaching lessons to his children,or a the masculine hero Saving a beauty,or the face of leader in liberal world order.In all these occasions,the United States never accept the opposite roles.This self-identity is crucial in understanding the logic of American foreign policy.The author made multiple comparisons between American Exceptionalism and other Exceptionalisms,conclude that there are more similarities than peculiarities,although arguably American Exceptionalism has many progress and positive elements.In the comparison between Special Providence of American Exceptionalism and Tianming in Chinese culture,we can see the fundamental deference beneath the superficial similarities:ontologically,the Chinese Tianming is based on the Harmony of Heaven and Man,while Special Providence and American Exceptionalism is derived from the world view of Separation of Heaven and Man;China is a civilization,and the United states is an ideal;American Exceptionalism is an expansionary ideology,while Chinese culture is more moderate and introverted;China advocate Tian-Xia Doctrine,while America is more motivated by missionary impulses;the Chinese version of Common Destiny transcended the concept of collective security significantly.Finally,on the issue of American Exceptionalism and world order,the author concluded that history can tell the future.Weak countries seek protection by the order,while great powers is more inclined to violate the norms for their national interest.All empires are not eternal;there is no exception in world history.When the United States decline,although the rhetoric of American Exceptionalism may not disappear,the behaviour of America will be more consistent with global order norms.It is the best way to defend its national interests in the future.