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And yet Japan and pretty much all of western Europe decided to model their rebuilding nations after that propaganda post Second World War.
That's just your opinion because you believe in American exceptionalism. People who don't believe in American exceptionalism will see it differently.
In my opinion (as somebody who doesn't believe in it) the people who believe in the whole American exceptionalism thing want to believe that other nations have modelled themselves to be like America. They pretty much have to believe that other countries want to be like America if they're going to stay true and loyal to their own concept of what American exceptionalism is all about. To believe otherwise would be disloyal and would cast doubts on American exceptionalism and therefore cast doubts on themselves.
But what the hey, if believing that makes the believers feel good about themselves and their nation, then go for it. There's lots of people who believe in all sorts of things that aren't real.
I can't put my finger on what american exceptionalism really is. Is there some way that the U.S. is different from all the other countries in the world in some way that makes us exceptional? Are we exceptional in world history for some reason? My ancestors on my fathers side were here during the american revolution so I am no newcomer trying to figure out america from a distance. I once thought that american exceptionalism had something to do with immigration but that would only make us exceptional fools to take in all those people of different cultures that will never get along for very long. So what is american exceptionalism?
I still believe we have a cultural commitment to freedom, individual rights and self-help.
We betray our heritage when we treat American exceptionalism as an occasion for chest-thumping, for deepening political divisions.
You just cannot say "we are awesome, we are awesome, we are awesome" all the time.
Of course, but the question is... What point is a "cultural commitment to freedom individual rights and self help" if it doesn't exist in reality?
Reality of American Exceptionalism was a result of those things ACTUALLY EXISTING. Now that we have lost them, there is no exceptionalism, because there is no freedom to be.
The belief in so-called American exceptionalism is a form of stupidity so extreme that it can't be described as simple stupidity. It's morally culpable stupidity, with predictably horrible results.
I can't put my finger on what american exceptionalism really is. Is there some way that the U.S. is different from all the other countries in the world in some way that makes us exceptional? Are we exceptional in world history for some reason? My ancestors on my fathers side were here during the american revolution so I am no newcomer trying to figure out america from a distance. I once thought that american exceptionalism had something to do with immigration but that would only make us exceptional fools to take in all those people of different cultures that will never get along for very long. So what is american exceptionalism?
Quote:
For all (...of Americans'...) differences, they shared that one brave idea (...of the United States as a new world to start again...), and that idea became the point around which they gathered. After two hundred years this is still the glue that keeps the nation together. It’s a fragile construct. And the constant American need for reaffirmation of America’s greatness - their exceptionalism - affirms its fragility.
I agree these precariously United States continue to be a new world for many. & this idea continues to be the 'glue.' & it IS a fragile construct.
I like also our original de facto motto, E pluribus unum, Latin for "Out of many one," alternatively translated as "One out of many" or "One from many."
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