Americans often characterize the United States as exceptional in the world. Frequently, such exceptionalism is a vaguely positive concept without objective meaning. Is America exceptional, different in important ways from all other nations in the world? Is it better? If so, how?

By Mark D. Harris

Last month, my sons and I were discussing some of the early commentary on the 2016 Presidential Campaign. One of them asked my opinion on American Exceptionalism. I had not given it much thought, but I spent some time considering the issue because I always try to have a reasoned answer for those I care about.

What is Exceptionalism?

Merriam-Webster defines exceptionalism as being different from the norm. Identifying “the norm” is difficult among nations, but it could be defined as median GDP, median land area, median population, etc. In one sense, every nation is exceptional in that it has some characteristic that is different from everyone else. As President Barack Obama said on 4 April 2009, “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.” The trouble with this statement is that with this understanding, no one is truly exceptional. While it may sound egalitarian and even right to an internationalist like Obama, it is also not true.

Is America Exceptional?

America is unique because it combines many exceptional characteristics. The US GDP is the greatest in the world, the population is the third highest, the land area is the fourth largest, and the military is the strongest by far. The United States is the most ethnically diverse nation on earth. By many measures of national power and influence, America is truly exceptional. In his book, Accidental Superpower, Peter Zeihan acknowledges the uniqueness of the United States but attributes it to its favorable geography, such as the fact that we are protected from powerful enemies by two large oceans, we have phenomenal agricultural lands, and we have river and ocean systems to allow tremendous internal and external trade. While acknowledging Zeihan’s accuracy on geography, a Christian would have to add that America’s success is founded on the will of the sovereign God because there are no such things as accidents.

America is also exceptional in its history. General George Washington stepped down from his lofty heights of power and reputation after winning the American Revolution, rather than seizing power in a military coup d’etat. When told by the American artist Benjamin West that Washington was going to resign, King George III of England said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”[1]

At that time, the United States was the only full democracy in a world of authoritarian states. Great Britain, democratic as it was, still had a powerful king. Over the centuries, America became a leader in science and technology, but also in human rights. The United States was the driving force behind the United Nations, and US leadership removed the scourge of smallpox from the earth. While far from perfect and stained by the same sin that marks all mankind, America has been a force for good in the world. As General Colin Powell said about the American triumph after World War II (14 Feb 2002): “And did we ask for any land? No, the only land we ever asked for was enough land to bury our dead. And that is the kind of nation we are.”

America’s Christian roots are a major factor in America’s success. The idea that all men are created equal, for example, was laughable to people throughout history. Every society accepted a natural order in which some men were destined to rule and others to serve. Islam teaches that all Muslims are equal, but that non-Muslims are dhimmi, “protected” people who are denied the same rights as followers of Allah. Hinduism insists that all men are divided into castes, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras, in descending order of power, rights, and value. Dalits, those outside the system, are the lowest of all. Buddhism exalts monks (bhikkhu) as part of the monastic community (sangha) over all others. A review of history demonstrates that all people groups, each with their own gods, religion, language, geography, and culture, naturally saw themselves as inherently better than all others.

A leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, one of the founders of America, called the society they were creating “a city on hill,” meant to show the way for other nations.  Abraham Lincoln certainly believed in American Exceptionalism when he said that the American Civil War was a test to see if government of the people, by the people, and for the people, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, could endure. Ronald Reagan repeated the idea that America is the last, best hope for mankind.

The Answer

There are those today who believe that America is in no way exceptional. They are wrong. There are others who believe that America is exceptional only in our vices. They are equally in error. Many don’t want the United States to be exceptional, because being so carries too much responsibility. Regardless of what they want, we are what we are, and we must do the best we can with what Providence has given us.

The best answer is that the United States is exceptional, and for many reasons, some material and some spiritual. Insofar as American exceptionalism leads to American leadership in solving some of the vexing problems of the world, it is a good thing.

What must we do?

So, my sons, there is your answer. America is exceptional in the world, and therefore has a great responsibility to do good. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. Such exceptionalism is not permanent; it can be lost in any generation. This is our hour, and we must do good, walking in the light when the light is given. If we do not, the world will fall into darkness.

America is exceptional. It remains for each generation to keep it so.

References

[1] George Washington’s Resignation, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/gwresignation.html.