AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

In his famous book, Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote: “American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States and the American people hold a special place in the world, by offering opportunity and hope for humanity, derived from its unique balance of public and private interests governed by constitutional ideals that are focused on personal and economic freedom.” Some people are embarrassed or uncomfortable with the term “American exceptionalism,” as if it is a statement of national arrogance.

Some people think American exceptionalism means that we hold an eccentric attitude that we are better than everyone else. The truth of the matter is that we are a uniquely blessed nation that offers its people and people around the world opportunity, hope, and freedom. It is as a superpower that we are able to project this prospect across the globe. American exceptionalism is not a statement of arrogance but a beacon of opportunity, hope, and freedom to a world in which much of it lives under despotic rule. No one else on this planet has done more to aid the repressed people of this world as the United States of America…despite our short historical existence. Even so, while so many people around the world desperately yearn for the opportunity, hope, and freedom of America, we are steadily marching toward a one government and one people world as we want all nations to be considered equally. In effect, we are dumbing-down the greatness, exceptionalism, and blessing that America offers its own people and the people of this world.

As we bow to the ascendency of China, Russia, Iran, and others... do we really think they will be the symbol of hope to a desperate world? The renowned fact is that they are the chief causative agents of tyranny in this world. Why would the leader for good give equal footing, of our own accord, to the leaders of unquestioned revulsion? While we seek to make despots happy with us by appeasing them, we are extinguishing the flame of hope for this world over. God did not bless this nation with exceptional fruits, responsibilities, and leadership for us to surrender them to envious tyrannical nations. The Bible teaches us that to whom much is given much is required. Rather than be embarrassed by our exceptionalism, we should be embarrassed that we’re willing to surrender it to Godless evil empires.