Regular readers will know that my e-pal, 'DM' (a.k.a. 'Dearieme'), suffers almost terminal grumpiness if anyone mentions 'American exceptionalism' and only a dram or three will calm him down! I must admit it has a similar effect on me because, of course, every country in the world claims to be exceptional and, logically-speaking, they are all quite correct. Even so, this notion of 'American exceptionalism' has become an idée fixe in the minds of many otherwise sensible Americans and so I was delighted to read over at The American Interest an essay on the subject by an historian called Walter A. McDougall - presumably of Scottish ancestry which will please 'DM' even more!
He explains in fascinating detail the origins of this myth which, if not in the detail then in the general evolution, closely resembles all those other myths which so many different nations cling to with such fervour. Perhaps the juiciest irony - which I just know will provide 'DM' with as much warm pleasure as it does me - is the fact that the main propogandists of this idea of 'American exceptionalism' were the Roman Catholic Church and the early Communist Party of America. That almost makes me want to whinny with pleasure!
I should add, before my other regular contributor, JK, rides out of the 'Arkie' hills with his Winchester.44 by his side, that my appreciation of Mr. McDougall's forensic dissection of this myth does not diminish in the slightest my admiration and liking for all ... most ... nearly most things American. The fact that he was able to demolish such a cherished idea without let or hindrance says much about the real America as opposed to the mythical America.
I don't care about exceptionalism, and it agree that it's a silly concept, but I do like this (perhaps that teutonicus guy can translate for you):
Amerika, du hast es besser
Als unser Kontinent, der alte,
Hast keine verfallenen Schlösser
Und keine Basalte.
Dich stört nicht im Innern,
Zu lebendiger Zeit,
Unnützes Erinnern
Und vergeblicher Streit.
Benutzt die Gegenwart mit Glück!
Und wenn nun Eure Kinder dichten,
Bewahre sie ein gut Geschick
Vor Ritter-, Räuber- und Gespenstergeschichten.
Posted by: Dom | Sunday, 22 December 2013 at 22:24
I should add, before my other regular contributor, JK, rides out of the 'Arkie' hills with his Winchester.44 by his side, that my appreciation of Mr. McDougall's forensic dissection of this myth ...
Now David, why would I do that?
You can check your archives as well as I can - take a gander and see if you can come up with "who" provided you the link in the first place!
(I'll be saving my ammo for stuff you come up with - larger targets!)
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 December 2013 at 22:45
Oops.
I see I may've been a bit hasty David. The link I gave D&N several months passed was from another of the sites I'm known to lurk - problem was (at the time) paywall! and we all know how you feel about that!
(But in the offchance you do hit the archives David, here's where to search):
www.fpri.org
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 December 2013 at 22:58
https://www.fpri.org/
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 December 2013 at 22:59
Perhaps it'll work better this time David, the link you've provided is very truncated from the original - this one slightly less so.
http://www.fpri.org/docs/201210.mcdougall.americanexceptionalism.pdf
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 December 2013 at 23:10
Dom, if I get a minute I will test 'Google Translate' with it!
JK, I found it via The American Interest site.
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 December 2013 at 10:38
It was the Winchester '73 that was the rifle famous in my youth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 23 December 2013 at 11:03
I also get grumpy at American use of The American Dream, and at British use of The Special Relationship and, especially, of The Great British whatever. And while we are at it, I hate it when someone on the financial pages witters about "making your money work harder".
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 23 December 2013 at 11:07
Good essay by your chap: he also almost gets in a dig at the preposterous “Judaeo-Christian tradition”.
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 23 December 2013 at 11:22
Yes, DM, I remember that film, Jimmy Stewart, wasn't it?
Well, I am hardly in a position to blame others for using 'catch-phrase English'. You can get away with very occasional use but repetition tends to make your listener/reader begin to think about the truth or falsity of it.
I must say that one of the magical delights of this internet-thingie is the way it allows you to read the very best essays from around the world.
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 December 2013 at 11:42