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Go read the comment section on Breitbart or Fox or Red State. American Exceptionalism is still gospel truth for ~half the country

whatshisface 7y ago
American exceptionalism isn't the same thing as manifest destiny. Republicans might be patriotic but most do not support wars of conquest or global expansionism. In fact, the "America first" slogan that recently helped win an election has been attacked as isolationist.
- jbattle 7y ago
  You're right. I read 'manifest destiny' as short hand for "USA USA!" boosterism. China obviously isn't an expansionist colonial power either. But I concede the point that Manifest Destiny really hasn't been an active doctrine in our lifetime. Maaaaybe if you look at the Project for the New American Century with the right lens.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - mistermann 7y ago
    > China obviously isn't an expansionist colonial power either. Maybe not colonial in a ~legal sense, but some of the deals they're doing with weaker countries seem designed to grant them significant power.
- sho 7y ago
  > American exceptionalism isn't the same thing as manifest destiny Sorry, you're probably right. I confess I'm not really aware of the exact difference. I meant the general feeling of "America is the best", which I think is pretty undeniable, at least as the rest of the world experiences it. My point was to contrast it with the Chinese, who have the exact same feeling.
bhauer 7y ago
True, but I think GP is arguing that in America, if there was a state that wanted to secede, there would be a pretty lively debate about the idea; it would not be a matter with a 90% opposition consensus as has been conjectured for the Chinese people with respect to Hong Kong. I can say as one data point if Alabama wanted to secede, I would probably be indifferent. I would likely be of the mind: "If that's what they want, fine." Edit: Also, a bit of a distinction that undercuts the premise of Hong Kong being similar to a US state secession: We've not onboarded any new states as recently as Hong Kong being reunified (to a limited degree) with China. We have used Alabama in this thread, but perhaps a better metaphor is Guam wanting to be free of American entanglements. Again, I would be indifferent.
akhilcacharya 7y ago
American exceptionalism != Manifest Destiny. For the record, I believe in American exceptionalism (to me it's fairly self-evident) but not in a modern "manifest destiny".

whatshisface 7y ago

American exceptionalism isn't the same thing as manifest destiny. Republicans might be patriotic but most do not support wars of conquest or global expansionism. In fact, the "America first" slogan that recently helped win an election has been attacked as isolationist.

jbattle 7y ago
You're right. I read 'manifest destiny' as short hand for "USA USA!" boosterism. China obviously isn't an expansionist colonial power either. But I concede the point that Manifest Destiny really hasn't been an active doctrine in our lifetime. Maaaaybe if you look at the Project for the New American Century with the right lens.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- mistermann 7y ago
  > China obviously isn't an expansionist colonial power either. Maybe not colonial in a ~legal sense, but some of the deals they're doing with weaker countries seem designed to grant them significant power.
sho 7y ago
> American exceptionalism isn't the same thing as manifest destiny Sorry, you're probably right. I confess I'm not really aware of the exact difference. I meant the general feeling of "America is the best", which I think is pretty undeniable, at least as the rest of the world experiences it. My point was to contrast it with the Chinese, who have the exact same feeling.

bhauer 7y ago

True, but I think GP is arguing that in America, if there was a state that wanted to secede, there would be a pretty lively debate about the idea; it would not be a matter with a 90% opposition consensus as has been conjectured for the Chinese people with respect to Hong Kong. I can say as one data point if Alabama wanted to secede, I would probably be indifferent. I would likely be of the mind: "If that's what they want, fine." Edit: Also, a bit of a distinction that undercuts the premise of Hong Kong being similar to a US state secession: We've not onboarded any new states as recently as Hong Kong being reunified (to a limited degree) with China. We have used Alabama in this thread, but perhaps a better metaphor is Guam wanting to be free of American entanglements. Again, I would be indifferent.

akhilcacharya 7y ago

American exceptionalism != Manifest Destiny. For the record, I believe in American exceptionalism (to me it's fairly self-evident) but not in a modern "manifest destiny".