The Source of American Exceptionalism

[PoliticalChic]

The following 3-part question was asked in a recent thread....

"So, and here's the part I'd like to have you confirm, are you saying that:

1. We are exceptional as a result of the intervention of divine providence?

2. Being "watchmen on the walls of world freedom" not only allows us, but obligates us to intervene in the affairs of other countries if we determine that their level of freedom is not acceptable to us?

3. Our ability to determine the acceptable level of freedom in other sovereign countries has been given to us by God? In other words, He has made us judge and jury?"



Short answer: Yes, Not really, and No.

But….I really would rather a longer answer…so if you can afford the time…..

1. The Jewish people have the exceptional honor of beholding that there is one God, an invisible one, to whom they made a commitment, and established a covenant. They promised to follow certain beliefs, such as investing the beliefs stated above, and, in turn, certain miracles befell them.


2. One can debate the existence of, or the definition of, ‘miracle’…but it has been quite a while since the first appearance of the Jewish people. Consider the words of Cicero: “History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.”


3. How to explain the continued existence of a nationless people, who are identified with God, in a world in which power and authority are often based on erasing any indication of God, religion and morality?

a. “After Buddha was dead, his shadow was still shown for centuries in a cave-a tremendous, gruesome shadow. God is dead; but given the way of men, there may still be caves for thousands of years in which his shadow will be shown. -And we-we still have to vanquish his shadow, too.”
From Nietzsche's The Gay Science, (trans. W. Kaufmann), s. 108



4. Historian such as Spengler, and Toynbee were confounded by the reality of their existence, too.
Nor, were they the only ones: “Over three hundred years ago King Louis XIV of France asked Blaise Pascal, the great French philosopher of his day, to give him proof of the existence of miracles. Without a moment's hesitation, Pascal answered, "Why, the Jews, your Majesty-the Jews.” History News Network.



5. In a sense, the Jewish people have been re-born here, in the United States. The Founders rooted the new nation in the Bible. The Puritans, in fact, saw their endeavor as a re-enactment of Exodus. England was Egypt and America, the New Israel. The most quoted source was the Bible. Established in the original writings of our Founding Fathers we find that they discovered in Isaiah 33:22 the three branches of government: Isaiah 33:22 “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” Here we see the judicial, the legislative and the executive branches. In Ezra 7:24 we see where they established the tax exempt status of the church: Ezra 7:24 “Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

When we look at our Constitution we see in Article 4 Section 4 that we are guaranteed a Republican form of government, that was found in Exodus 18 “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:” This indicates that we are to choose, or elect God fearing men and women. Looking at Article 3 Section 3 we see almost word for word Deuteronomy 17:6: ‘No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses. . .’ Deuteronomy 17:6 “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses. . .”. The next paragraph in Article 3 Section 3 refers to who should pay the price for treason. In England, they could punish the sons for the trespasses of the father, if the father died.
Roger Anghis -- Bring America Back To Her Religious Roots, Part 7


a. The first design for the official seal of the United States recommended by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1776 depicted the Jews crossing the Red Sea. The motto around the seal read: "Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God."

b. The inscription on the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia was a direct quote from the Book ofLeviticus "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."
Jews and the Founding of America | Pathways



7. “In the book, “The Covenant,” Timothy Ballard contends that America’s founding fathers tapped into an ancient power to build the nation — a feat they accomplished against all odds. The founders, being well-versed in Biblical understanding, believed that the U.S. was a new Israel of sorts, birthed out of a relationship and a covenant with the Almighty. Ballard maintains that, in contemporary times, the nation risks losing its blessings if individuals don’t recognize the importance of the covenant and an ongoing relationship with God….According to Ballard, they are liberty, protection and prosperity — all elements that the U.S. has traditionally enjoyed….her transformation from an infant nation with little resources and ability to history’s most profound mega-force …” Tim Ballard Discusses ‘The Covenant’ With The Blaze & Glenn Beck | Video | TheBlaze.com

a. There are four references to ‘Devine’ in D of I… 1)in first paragraph ‘Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,’ 2) next paragraph ‘endowed by their Creator,” 3) Supreme Judge of the world, and 4) ‘divine’ Providence, last paragraph. This is important because our historic documents memorialize a government based on individuals born with inalienable rights, by, in various references, by the Devine, or Nature’s God, or their Creator, or the Supreme Judge, or divine Providence. http://web.princeton.edu/sites/jmadison/calendar/conferences/Declaration02-Morrison paper.pdf

b. Freedom sees religion as the companion of its struggles and triumphs, the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its rights. –Tocqueville, Democracy in America



So...in my opinion, the answer to part one is "Yes."


Part two.....not really: our obligation extends only to providing a model, what was know as 'a light unto the nations.'
It is interesting to note how many national constitution are based on ours.

Part three....not at all.
To show liberty, democracy and a successful model carries with it no requirement to force
other to do the same.
If our citizens vote to aid allies, or to defend ourselves from enemies....that is how we should function.


Thank you for reading such a long answer.

 

[MuadDib]

Very well stated.

Many of the Founders considered the new nation and the Constitution as gifts from God. We are exceptional. We can better spread our form of government by being a shining beacon rather than a blinding light.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.

Samuel Butler

The Myth of American Exceptionalism

Most statements of "American exceptionalism" presume that America's values, political system, and history are unique and worthy of universal admiration. They also imply that the United States is both destined and entitled to play a distinct and positive role on the world stage.

The only thing wrong with this self-congratulatory portrait of America's global role is that it is mostly a myth. Although the United States possesses certain unique qualities -- from high levels of religiosity to a political culture that privileges individual freedom -- the conduct of U.S. foreign policy has been determined primarily by its relative power and by the inherently competitive nature of international politics. By focusing on their supposedly exceptional qualities, Americans blind themselves to the ways that they are a lot like everyone else.

This unchallenged faith in American exceptionalism makes it harder for Americans to understand why others are less enthusiastic about U.S. dominance, often alarmed by U.S. policies, and frequently irritated by what they see as U.S. hypocrisy, whether the subject is possession of nuclear weapons, conformity with international law, or America's tendency to condemn the conduct of others while ignoring its own failings. Ironically, U.S. foreign policy would probably be more effective if Americans were less convinced of their own unique virtues and less eager to proclaim them.

What we need, in short, is a more realistic and critical assessment of America's true character and contributions.

The Myth of American Exceptionalism - By Stephen M. Walt | Foreign Policy

 

[Mac1958]

Thank you for reading such a long answer.

And thanks for providing it.

The general points of my question were (a) are we here via providence, and (2) does our exceptionalism give us international rights that other countries don't enjoy, such as intervening militarily in the affairs of other countries.

As a comfy agnostic, I get a little nervous when a person would answer "yes" to both of the above questions. Your answer gives me the notion that the term "American exceptionalism" may mean different things to different people. You appear to feel that the answer to (2) would be "no", and I think there are those who use the term who would disagree.

A bright, shining light for others to follow? Yeah, no problem there. But a "the rules don't apply to us" policeman of the world? Absolutely not.

Anyway, thanks again.

.

 

[uscitizen]

We are exceptional because we say we are.

 

[mememe]

Well said, uscitizen!

 

[koshergrl]

Thanks for dumbing down an exceptionally intelligent discussion, uscitizen. See, you do have a purpose in life!

 

[uscitizen]

And just why is it an exceptionally intelligent discussion?
Because someone says it is?
Talk is cheap, which brings me back to the American Exceptionalism discussion.

American exceptionalism is rapidly dying, the golden age of America is past.
We have offshored our exceptionalism.

 

[PoliticalChic]

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.

Samuel Butler

The Myth of American Exceptionalism

Most statements of "American exceptionalism" presume that America's values, political system, and history are unique and worthy of universal admiration. They also imply that the United States is both destined and entitled to play a distinct and positive role on the world stage.

The only thing wrong with this self-congratulatory portrait of America's global role is that it is mostly a myth. Although the United States possesses certain unique qualities -- from high levels of religiosity to a political culture that privileges individual freedom -- the conduct of U.S. foreign policy has been determined primarily by its relative power and by the inherently competitive nature of international politics. By focusing on their supposedly exceptional qualities, Americans blind themselves to the ways that they are a lot like everyone else.

This unchallenged faith in American exceptionalism makes it harder for Americans to understand why others are less enthusiastic about U.S. dominance, often alarmed by U.S. policies, and frequently irritated by what they see as U.S. hypocrisy, whether the subject is possession of nuclear weapons, conformity with international law, or America's tendency to condemn the conduct of others while ignoring its own failings. Ironically, U.S. foreign policy would probably be more effective if Americans were less convinced of their own unique virtues and less eager to proclaim them.

What we need, in short, is a more realistic and critical assessment of America's true character and contributions.

The Myth of American Exceptionalism - By Stephen M. Walt | Foreign Policy

You are certainly free to believe what ever you so choose, as does Barack Obama....that that nation is no different than any other.

But I recommend that you consider the words of Alexander Pope:

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
and drinking largely sobers us again."

Deep thought might convince you otherwise.



Should you ever have the opportunity to study United States law, you might want to review item #5 in the OP.


Glad to help.

 

[koshergrl]

And just why is it an exceptionally intelligent discussion?
Because someone says it is?
Talk is cheap, which brings me back to the American Exceptionalism discussion.

American exceptionalism is rapidly dying, the golden age of America is past.
We have offshored our exceptionalism.

It's exceptionally intelligent for this site, or at least it was, because you weren't participating.

 

[mememe]

Before we will go back to a highly intelligent discussion on "exceptionality of Americans", can we define "exceptionality"?

Exceptional in WHAT exactly?

 

[PoliticalChic]

Before we will go back to a highly intelligent discussion on "exceptionality of Americans", can we define "exceptionality"?

Exceptional in WHAT exactly?

I'd like this discussion to be inclusive, but it's really only for adults.

 

[mememe]

Before we will go back to a highly intelligent discussion on "exceptionality of Americans", can we define "exceptionality"?

Exceptional in WHAT exactly?

I'd like this discussion to be inclusive, but it's really only for adults.

If you consider yourself an adult, then define a subject of a discussion: what exactly do you mean by "exceptionality"? Are you inviting to discuss American exceptional size, food portions, educational standards, music achievements, military machine, self-absorption? What?

 

[PoliticalChic]

Before we will go back to a highly intelligent discussion on "exceptionality of Americans", can we define "exceptionality"?

Exceptional in WHAT exactly?

I'd like this discussion to be inclusive, but it's really only for adults.

If you consider yourself an adult, then define a subject of a discussion: what exactly do you mean by "exceptionality"? Are you inviting to discuss American exceptional size, food portions, educational standards, music achievements, military machine, self-absorption? What?

There are two possible explanations for your inane posts.

1. You are striving for some access to a discussion way beyond your ken.

2. You are seeking some possible way of putting the brakes on the discussion, of sidetracking same, of bogging it down.


I suggest you try to stick to subjects where you might actually have some cachet, such as favorite Crayola, or how far to sit from the tv….this is out of your league.

 

[PoliticalChic]

Thank you for reading such a long answer.

And thanks for providing it.

The general points of my question were (a) are we here via providence, and (2) does our exceptionalism give us international rights that other countries don't enjoy, such as intervening militarily in the affairs of other countries.

As a comfy agnostic, I get a little nervous when a person would answer "yes" to both of the above questions. Your answer gives me the notion that the term "American exceptionalism" may mean different things to different people. You appear to feel that the answer to (2) would be "no", and I think there are those who use the term who would disagree.

A bright, shining light for others to follow? Yeah, no problem there. But a "the rules don't apply to us" policeman of the world? Absolutely not.

Anyway, thanks again.

.

"... and I think there are those who use the term who would disagree."

Can you elucidate?

 

[Mac1958]

Thank you for reading such a long answer.

And thanks for providing it.

The general points of my question were (a) are we here via providence, and (2) does our exceptionalism give us international rights that other countries don't enjoy, such as intervening militarily in the affairs of other countries.

As a comfy agnostic, I get a little nervous when a person would answer "yes" to both of the above questions. Your answer gives me the notion that the term "American exceptionalism" may mean different things to different people. You appear to feel that the answer to (2) would be "no", and I think there are those who use the term who would disagree.

A bright, shining light for others to follow? Yeah, no problem there. But a "the rules don't apply to us" policeman of the world? Absolutely not.

Anyway, thanks again.

.

"... and I think there are those who use the term who would disagree."

Can you elucidate?

I'm referring to those who feel it is our responsibility/duty/obligation to "spread" freedom. Afghanistan and Iraq come to mind - we invade militarily, get rid of people we don't like (although we may have liked them before), and then start nation-building.

Then, while we're busy counting the dead and maimed American soldiers and consoling their grieving families, we're told that it was all "worth it" because we're "spreading freedom."

That doesn't appear to be your position from what I'm reading.

.

 

[uscitizen]

I'd like this discussion to be inclusive, but it's really only for adults.

If you consider yourself an adult, then define a subject of a discussion: what exactly do you mean by "exceptionality"? Are you inviting to discuss American exceptional size, food portions, educational standards, music achievements, military machine, self-absorption? What?

There are two possible explanations for your inane posts.

1. You are striving for some access to a discussion way beyond your ken.

2. You are seeking some possible way of putting the brakes on the discussion, of sidetracking same, of bogging it down.


I suggest you try to stick to subjects where you might actually have some cachet, such as favorite Crayola, or how far to sit from the tv….this is out of your league.

So you really do not understand what exceptionalism means, it just sounds cool?

Kinda like Manifest Destiny?

 

[MuadDib]

America is exceptional. This nation has risen to the occasion every time it has been called upon to do so. We helped win 2 world wars and we're the only nation that has ever put a man on the Moon: not just once, but 6 times. Apollo, the Space Shuttle, computers, stealth aircraft... the list goes on and on. We've been a leader in technological innovation time and time again.

Al Gore singlehandedly invented the internet and global warming.

Where we've gone wrong is allowing liberalism/socialism to creep in and wreck our ability to innovate and lead.

 

[mememe]

I'd like this discussion to be inclusive, but it's really only for adults.

If you consider yourself an adult, then define a subject of a discussion: what exactly do you mean by "exceptionality"? Are you inviting to discuss American exceptional size, food portions, educational standards, music achievements, military machine, self-absorption? What?

There are two possible explanations for your inane posts.

Is it so wrong to find out what this "exceptionalism" mean before discussing it?

 

[editec]

Well obviously every other country is NOT the USA EXCEPT the USA.

That's one thing makes certainly the USA "exceptional."

There's probably other ways to think of this nation as exceptional, too.

Plenty of them, actually.

In fact every nation is exceptional depending on what you are excepting or not excepting, of course.

NO doubt about it...