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There are two parts to these attitudes, and the largest problem is that people in the USA often conflate them. One part is satisfaction (and yes, pride) in real
by dwc 15y ago
There are two parts to these attitudes, and the largest problem is that people in the USA often conflate them. One part is satisfaction (and yes, pride) in real invention, innovation and achievement. I have no issue with this part. People in the USA have done much to warrant some pride. This shouldn't take anything away from people in other nations who have their own achievements.
The second part is the idea of American exceptionalism: that the USA is great because it's the USA. This is nauseating, indeed. It's also obviously harmful, since now "greatness" is a birthright rather than an achievement.
- johnny22 15y agoTotally agree. Folks who migrate here keep the "greatness" "non-hereditary". I'm not sure how much longer such a thing will last though, as more opportunities continue to develop in their home countries.
- drumdance 15y agoThis is indeed nauseating, especially when you consider that the USA is not even in the top 10 in many human development measures. The reflexive tribalism you see on the right makes me think we must be number 1 in self esteem.
- penwwolf 15y agoOTOH the U.S. has a much more diverse, wideranging population and geography than countries ahead of it in those measures (that I think) you're thinking of. Regions that would be different countries in Europe or Asia are all states unified under a federal system, which has its upsides and downsides.
- SkyMarshal 15y agoAmerican exceptionalism isn't just that the USA is great b/c it's the USA, but because it founded as an implementation of a set of moral ideals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism As an American, I agree though, it is nauseating when politicians or citizens pull this card and use it to justify nationalism or other bad things and abuses. It cancels the very reasons for the idea of exceptionalism in the first place.