Is American exceptionalism a glorified term for "we're special just cuz?" Isn't every country special by virtue of its individuality? Or is America thought to b

Is American exceptionalism a glorified term for "we're special just cuz?" Isn't every country special by virtue of its individuality? Or is America thought to be exceptional because it excels on generally accepted criteria (wealth and military power.) Criteria whose importance, funny enough, was determined in the first place by...America. Like being both judge and participant in a beauty contest.