4 ms·

If you were born elsewhere, and could never get to America, would you be fine with American exceptionalism?

by rw 18y ago

anamax 18y ago
> If you were born elsewhere, and could never get to America, would you be fine with American exceptionalism? Sure. Why would I care what Americans think about themselves? Why would I care what Americans think about me? And, on a more objective note, the argument for American exceptionalism isn't that America does so well, but that other countries do so badly. After all, let's compare the stereotypical American with the stereotypical European and then look at the aggregate results. Some might argue that the stereotypes are wrong. Others give credit to the flying spaghetti monster. Maybe the Illuminati are to blame. And so on.
- rw 18y ago
  Could you precisely define what you mean by "American exceptionalism"? I'm not getting what you're saying.
  - anamax 18y ago
    > Could you precisely define what you mean by "American exceptionalism"? I'm okay with "American exceptionalis refers to the belief that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nations, because of its national credo, historical evolution, distinctive political and religious institutions, ethnic origins and composition, or national ideals." from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism You seem to think that non-Americans should be bothered by American exceptionalism. Why?
    - rw 18y ago
      > the belief that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nations, Is that belief that the United States is better, or just different?
      - anamax 18y ago
        > Is that belief that the United States is better, or just different? Let's go with the one that bothers you. Why do you care?
        rw 18y ago
        The one that bothers me is "better". The reason it bothers me is because that type of American exceptionalism is very close to nationalism, which, in turn, works to build mental walls of ethnocentrism and classism.
        anamax 18y ago
        While we often hear how fascism is descending on the US, I'll note that it lands in Europe. Or, if you intend "ethnocentrism and classism" in a less malign form, to the extent that it's bad, it will work to the US' disadvantage. Are you opposed because you want the US to succeed?

If you were born elsewhere, and could never get to America, would you be fine with American exceptionalism?

by rw 18y ago

If you were born elsewhere, and could never get to America, would you be fine with American exceptionalism?

> If you were born elsewhere, and could never get to America, would you be fine with American exceptionalism? Sure. Why would I care what Americans think about themselves? Why would I care what Americans think about me? And, on a more objective note, the argument for American exceptionalism isn't that America does so well, but that other countries do so badly. After all, let's compare the stereotypical American with the stereotypical European and then look at the aggregate results. Some might argue that the stereotypes are wrong. Others give credit to the flying spaghetti monster. Maybe the Illuminati are to blame. And so on.

rw 18y ago
Could you precisely define what you mean by "American exceptionalism"? I'm not getting what you're saying.
- anamax 18y ago
  > Could you precisely define what you mean by "American exceptionalism"? I'm okay with "American exceptionalis refers to the belief that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nations, because of its national credo, historical evolution, distinctive political and religious institutions, ethnic origins and composition, or national ideals." from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism You seem to think that non-Americans should be bothered by American exceptionalism. Why?
  - rw 18y ago
    > the belief that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nations, Is that belief that the United States is better, or just different?
    - anamax 18y ago
      > Is that belief that the United States is better, or just different? Let's go with the one that bothers you. Why do you care?
      - rw 18y ago
        The one that bothers me is "better". The reason it bothers me is because that type of American exceptionalism is very close to nationalism, which, in turn, works to build mental walls of ethnocentrism and classism.
        anamax 18y ago
        While we often hear how fascism is descending on the US, I'll note that it lands in Europe. Or, if you intend "ethnocentrism and classism" in a less malign form, to the extent that it's bad, it will work to the US' disadvantage. Are you opposed because you want the US to succeed?