During this campaign season there have been multiple references to “American exceptionalism.” Some politicians mourn its decline, some accuse others of hindering its free expression, while every politico promises policies that will encourage and nurture it. Exactly what is American exceptionalism? My spellchecker tells me there's no such word, so what are we dealing with here? Does the term imply that Americans possess talents and qualities that others (non-Americans) don’t, or is the reference purely systemic, referring to our economic capabilities? In these days of globalization and, one might say American manufacturing decline, the latter definition, pointing to the country’s economic proficiency, seems inadequate. Listening to the politicians, it's clear their use implies that the American character is endowed with certain superior qualities, among them: creativity and entrepreneurship. Is this possible? Are Americans born with such gifts? Are they a product of our social environment? Do they exist at all?

In a search for answers, let’s first discard the assertion that Americans, somehow at birth, possess these special capabilities; such in-born advantages would seem particularly dubious in light of our extraordinary diversity. It’s just not scientifically plausible. We have to look beyond nativity for the answer; we have to look to social, cultural and environmental influences. However, there too, the source seems problematic. We are, and have always been, a land of multiple cultures, religions, ethnicities, geographic differences and political ideologies. It's hard to see how, out of such extreme diversity, a concept like “American exceptionalism” can gain acceptance. Yet, the politicians don’t hesitate to use it in their speeches. They continue to extol it, promising that the pursuit of their particular doctrines will encourage and nurture it. Then, under their stewardship, this “American exceptionalism” will solve the problems of our struggling economy and triumph over the challenges encountered on the world stage.

Is all this just so much nationalism, pure partisan cheerleading, or are we as a society exceptional? If, in fact, there is truth in the concept, then these superior qualities must somehow be inculcated in us by the shared beliefs of our society. And yet, those beliefs—cultural, religious, and political—are all over the place, anything but shared. We are a huge country; our geographic differences alone are enormous, almost tribal in nature. We are clearly not a homogenous society! So, finding what might contribute to this general “exceptionalism” is not so simple. We must look for the influences that shape all of us, for forces that work on all Americans, to forge a national character.

The common ground we share starts with our Constitution. From this foundation come the laws of the land generated over the years by Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court. These laws are the framework of our national society. Their construction, modification and maintenance is the main business of our Federal Government. Certainly, as a people, we are influenced by local, regional and state authorities. As individuals, we are influenced by parental, religious and cultural forces. But our common influences, as Americans, are the laws of the land as initiated, promulgated and enforced by the Federal Government. It is that body of rules that defines our society and makes us uniquely American. As citizens of the United States, it is the Federal Government that binds us together and it is the Federal Government that defines our national character. While each State, rightfully, has its distinctions and its local pride, we are not here trying to identify “Texas exceptionalism” or “California exceptionalism.” We are searching for the source of a national trait. The concept of “American exceptionalism,” if it exists, must owe that existence to our national character, a product of our national society.

Without the Federal Government we would be tribal or, in less dramatic terminology, simply divided, by region, by state, by religion, by ethnicity…but wait, you say, “We are divided!” Yes, but how much more divided would we be without the Federal Government? It is for this reason that today’s fiery political rhetoric is so deeply disturbing. Contempt, disrespect and distrust for the Federal Government seem to run deep in the ideology of all the Republican presidential candidates. Each tries to outdo the other not only in their support of states’ rights, but in their vociferous enmity towards the Federal Government, ironically, a body they are seeking to lead. These days it would be difficult, indeed, to find any American who believes that our Federal Government is perfect. Most would join in continuing efforts at improvement. Striving for responsible change is legitimate. That said, vitriolic disrespect and a bellicose contempt are not—at least, not if “American exceptionalism” is to ever be a reality.

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Feature by:
John Snow