The Paradox of American Exceptionalism

Abstract

American exceptionalism is based on the belief that America is a uniquely exceptional country with its enduring values of competitiveness, individualism, freedom, and liberty. The paradox is that what binds Americans together (as exceptionalists) are the very values that pull us apart (individualism). Yet, the United States, compared with most developed countries, ranks poorly on many indicators, including poverty, firearms per capita, obesity rates, infant mortality, inequality, incarceration rate, military spending, and so forth. I conjecture that our exceptionalism creates such an obsession with individualism that we lose sight of the overall collectivity. The Bill of Rights (including amendments) is presented to highlight how individualism has historical roots. Finally, I show how the current political polarization in the United States affects Americans’ understanding of climate change.