STAFF WRITER

The idea of “American exceptionalism” is one of the more polarizing concepts in modern American political discussions.

The term is extremely loaded. Those that subscribe to the idea believe anyone rejecting its jingoistic overtones is unpatriotic, even if one is merely implying that America does not possess a birthright to the supremacy that the “manifest destiny” ideology had suggested. The once proud notion of “American exceptionalism” has divulged into a witch-hunt, seeking to incriminate detractors of the belief as radical left-wingers bent on the demise of America as the preeminent power in the world (as was the case in Mitt Romney’s campaign during the 2012 Presidential election). Romney vehemently rejected what he saw as an “apology tour” carried out by President Obama shortly after his first term’s inauguration.

Although Romney’s comments contained an overtly pejorative tone, I do agree with Romney’s assertions that Obama was looking to right the foreign policy misdoings of former administrations. A move that I, for one, would certainly deem beneficial, especially juxtaposed with the gun slinging “you’re with us, or against us” foreign policy message of the Bush administration. Barack Obama addressed his stance on “American exceptionalism” in 2009, stating that he believed in the idea as much as the British believe in “British exceptionalism” and the Greeks believe in “Greek exceptionalism.” The comment, made in passing, took on a life of its own and became the “gotcha” moment Republicans needed to expose what they perceived as Obama’s hidden socialist agenda and his true vision for America’s place on the world stage.

The debate on “American exceptionalism” is not one of black and white. Even those who take into account the wishes of the rest of the world do agree that America is an “exceptional” nation in many aspects. Across the political spectrum, few would argue that America shines brighter than other nations and represents the proverbial “City on a Hill,” alluded to by Senator Rand Paul in terms of freedoms and liberties for its citizens. America owes its exceptional position to the principles the nation was founded upon and the prudent decisions we have made since. It is critical to realize, in the present day, that we must continue to make exceptional choices in crises that will inevitably arise and that we cannot rely solely on historical success as a means of remaining the world’s beacon of prosperity and liberty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed frustration at “American exceptionalism” and described the dangers of people viewing themselves as particularly exceptional. In an op-ed in The New York Times, he wrote “It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy.”

These feelings are certainly influenced by the historical precedence of extreme nationalism marring the face of the European continent for the better part of the 19th and 20th centuries. The inevitable ties of “American exceptionalism” to jingoistic fervor has accounted for a great deal of missteps in American history. An exceptional American does not reject the cooperation of the international community in order to police parts of the world that affect American interests.

As Senator Paul notes, America has acted exceptionally regarding the Syrian crisis. Its system of checks and balances, which serves as a model for a world slowly embracing democracy, has been successful in halting aggressive intervention in the interest of a more diplomatic solution.

Senator Paul’s rebuttal of Vladimir Putin’s comments regarding “American exceptionalism” also illuminates how sensitive the subject is to many on the right. While Paul is correct in many of his assertions, especially in highlighting the Russian government’s hypocrisy in dealing arms to the Assad regime, it remains a dangerous proposition to uphold “American exceptionalism” in the face of a world that so strongly despises such feelings. Barack Obama’s understanding of “American exceptionalism” differs greatly from the likes of George W. Bush and John McCain, because he recognizes that our exceptionalism could be diminished through repeated mistakes and ill-conceived interventions into other nations. This notion, while alien to the conservative right, is a matter of fact and must be embraced going forward, in the interest of continued “American exceptionalism”.

An exceptional America does not “go it alone” and disregard the wishes of the rest of the world. An exceptional America does not prove itself as such through continually flaunting its military might. It proves itself as a pragmatic leader alongside the other members of the international community.

Joseph Clines, FCRH ‘14, is an economics major from Hempstead, N.Y.