Opinion article: Is the U.S the exception?

Question

I'm wondering what you folks think of an opinion aricle published by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp's Washington correspondant, on their website.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/reportsfromabroad/macdonald/20070222.html
A quote:
"Actually, exceptionalism is more than merely a doctrine here. It is a deeply held world view that holds across the political spectrum. Remember, it was Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, who articulated America's mission to make the world "safe for democracy," and Bill Clinton who announced in 1998 that America had come to define 'the right side of history.'

For U.S. policy makers, says Prestowitz, this translates into the conviction 'that America is a special country with a mission and special virtue, and therefore it has a duty and a right to try to spread these values, in some cases by force if necessary.'"

Because the 1st few answers seemed like they didn't read the article all the way through, here's more quotes:
"Take Taiwan, for example.

The general view here is that Taiwan, as a fellow democracy, deserves American protection from the Communist behemoth on the mainland. Few Americans give it much thought when U.S. warships steam into the Taiwan Strait in a show of force.

Completely ignored is the perspective of most Chinese that Taiwan is a breakaway province, whose status represents a fundamental matter of sovereignty.

In his book, Prestowitz offers an analogy. There are Hawaiian nationalists, he says, who would dearly like to occupy the uninhabited island of Kahoolawe and declare an independent monarchy. Suppose they did that, and imagine Washington's reaction.

....It's an interesting mental exercise to flip the perspective, and view Washington's daily utterances and actions from the other end of the telescope."

Answer 1

Interesting and provocative article. I think Macdonald makes a good point in that exceptionalism in America has played an unusually prominent role in the country's history, all the way back to the "City on a Hill" sermon. He does a good job summarizing how American exceptionalism fingers its way into American news coverage of international events and foreign policy matters.

However, I think there is a certain amount of overgeneralization. For instance, while I would imagine that some Americans would not think twice about the treatment of Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, I'm not convinced that American exceptionalism is the main cause for such lacking coverage because it does not consider other substantial economic and institutional factors like competition among American media outlets, the compression of the news cycle, the shrinking of foreign bureaus in most news organizations, and the possibility of self-censorship on the part of reporters who fear losing access to news makers (on this last bit, I've provided a link to an "On the Media" broadcast on the subject I found interesting).

That said, there's clearly a thread of exceptionalism that has run historically through American culture, and it's all too easy to imagine such attitudes behind current events. To me the most worrisome possibility comes from considering that another quality of America is that it is a very provincial country. Much of this is simply due to geography. The American and Pacific oceans separate us by thousands of miles from most of the rest of the world. As a result it's harder for many citizens to find opportunities to get exposure to other countries and cultures. While it is true that America has historically stepped up to take on some enormous responsibilities and done much good in the world, the combination of exceptional economic, military and political power combined with limited interest and awareness of what is going on in many parts of the world is a problematic combination. Current events make this painfully clear.

Answer 2

Liberals hate once you divulge their actual schedule. nicely, many liberals do not likely comprehend the place they are going, they only stick to the mob, who's led by potential of human beings who comprehend precisely what they are doing and the place they are going. The sheep will say the country is faulty, a bully, shouldn't intrude because of the fact the international's policeman, proceed to be silent whilst dictators, murderers and terrorists enhance their area and potential. With a paper tiger as President, terrorists comprehend in the event that they attack the country, there will be no retribution, in basic terms empty communicate and "tutor" yet no dedication to combat terrorism. After 911, if Gore had stolen the 2000 election, he might have deferred to the UN and likely there might have been yet another attack, probable a grimy bomb killing hundreds of hundreds. The UN love the US neutralized, so that they are in a position to declare area over the international. I consider this text and luxuriate in the way it upsets the cowards, traitors, communists, socialists and terrorist supporters.

Answer 3

Any nation, if governed correctly has the right to its place on the world stage; it doesn't automatically obtain a right to be the mouthpiece for or the ruler of the entire planet. There are several exceptional democracies on earth; significant amongst them are the UK then the USA. UK is first because its parliament is the mother of modern democracy.

Don't be too upset that one of Her Britannic Majesty's humble and loyal subjects is offering this opinion.

Answer 4

Too bad more countries (i.e. Canada) wouldn't think this way and try to improve the world. Where are Germany and France when it comes to global responsibility? The US is the leader, and is on the correct path. Great Britain is close behind. Most other western nations are too selfish to do what they should be doing to make the world a better place.

Answer 5

how would you like to live ? as ataliban wife or us bride? i,m assuming your female of couse but if your not i think i could not treat a person that way to die because i had no beard or sent my to the store is not real when they come to your house and kill your dad your brother because your sister wear amini skirt in pulic better yet they stone her to death 4 the same reason u call that relgion wre not specal we believe in t6he freedom of the person and thier relgion we are free we fouoght 4 that an we will die 4 that take that to the bank

Answer 6

Let freedom ring.