Exceptionalism or Superiority?
One of the tenets of the RNC platform is an embrace of American Exceptionalism. American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is different from other countries in that it has a specific world mission to spread liberty and democracy. There is quite a lot in the RNC platform statement on this point... it covers everything from fighting wars to supporting veterans to being involved in human rights issues around the globe.
When I first heard that American Exceptionalism was a tenet of the RNC platform, I balked. Why? Because I think many people in the United States think they are better than everyone else in the world... and this belief is rooted in exceptionalism. (Read more about the concept...) We are better because we are the experts on democracy and liberty and everyone should just do everything our way. It is this belief that drives us to invade other countries for the presumed purpose of freeing them from evil dictators... whether they want to be freed or not. It is this ideology that makes it okay for us to go into third world countries and boss people around, telling them that our way is the best way and their way is just stupid.
As you can see, it doesn't take much to move from "exceptionalism" to "superiority."
BUT... if the ideology of American Exceptionalism gives rise to the end of human rights abuses... gives aid to the hurting... frees people who are slaves to their circumstances... then, well I kind of like that idea!
The RNC platform states:
World Vision worker Joy Bennett wrote last week about the needy in America vs. the needy in other countries (in this case, Sri Lanka). (read her blog post) Some of her words reminded me of the superiority complex that is the danger of exceptionalism. Like this excerpt:
Another quote from Joy Bennett that I really liked was this: "I’m not saying that we in America have it all. We have our own special kind of poverty: a poverty of generosity, of compassion, of connection and community. These are things Sri Lankans are rich with." Ouch. I'm totally guilty of that. I'd rather sit in my house and play on the computer than get out and volunteer my time and actually have to interact with other people. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
I think what I'd really like to say about this is... every country, every people group, every ethnicity has something to teach others. Americans have a lot of financial resources and a unique perspective on freedom. Other countries have a unique perspective on building community. Others have the resource of intelligence or ingenuity or historical context or beautiful scenery or natural resources or surviving with little/nothing. Every country has something to offer. We can all learn from each other.
Americans have a reputation for going into other countries [as tourists] with their ego on full display, expecting everyone to cater to them. If we can be just a little bit more humble, ask questions and try to learn from others, then we as a people will be known as exceptional without having to try to prove it or persuade people that we are. Regardless of what our government is doing... next time you go to another country, try doing things their way without complaining about it.
Note: This is the fourth in a series of posts about my thoughts on social, political and moral issues of the day. Read others: #1 - "The Quest for Clarity" | #2 - "Choice? Life" | #3 - Money Money Money
As you can see, it doesn't take much to move from "exceptionalism" to "superiority."
BUT... if the ideology of American Exceptionalism gives rise to the end of human rights abuses... gives aid to the hurting... frees people who are slaves to their circumstances... then, well I kind of like that idea!
The RNC platform states:
Americans are the most generous people in the world. Apart from the taxpayer dollars our government donates abroad, our foundations, educational institutions, faith-based groups, and committed men and women of charity devote billions of dollars and volunteer hours every year to help the poor and needy around the world.I agree. But I think we should be very careful that our patriotism doesn't become bragging... that our beliefs and ideologies don't become the proverbial Bible that we bash people over the head with.
World Vision worker Joy Bennett wrote last week about the needy in America vs. the needy in other countries (in this case, Sri Lanka). (read her blog post) Some of her words reminded me of the superiority complex that is the danger of exceptionalism. Like this excerpt:
If you do think that somehow Americans are better or more valuable or more important, have you ever considered how that attitude leads to things like anti-Semitism, white supremacy, male chauvinism, and ethnic cleansing? Do these comparisons disgust you? Do they offend you? Good. They should. The root of those ideologies is the hyper-valuing of one’s own people (race, ethnicity, gender) and the devaluing of others. These horrible attitudes are the logical conclusion of such ideas. Let me be clear. I am not saying that if you have pride in your country of origin, that makes you a bigot. But if your national pride leads to seeing others as somehow less, you should stop and think it through a little further. (emphasis mine)Maybe it's all semantics, but I would rather use the word "unique" than "exceptional" when describing America. We do have a unique ability to help others. That doesn't make us exceptional (i.e. better than everyone except us), what it makes us is responsible... responsible for helping other people that are not as fortunate. Maybe we should call this ideology "American Responsibility." But if we did that, lots of people wouldn't buy into the idea anymore. That sounds too much like selflessness. (Oh! Did I just get sarcastic? Sorry.) The Democratic platform calls it "American Leadership." That has a nice ring to it.
Another quote from Joy Bennett that I really liked was this: "I’m not saying that we in America have it all. We have our own special kind of poverty: a poverty of generosity, of compassion, of connection and community. These are things Sri Lankans are rich with." Ouch. I'm totally guilty of that. I'd rather sit in my house and play on the computer than get out and volunteer my time and actually have to interact with other people. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
I think what I'd really like to say about this is... every country, every people group, every ethnicity has something to teach others. Americans have a lot of financial resources and a unique perspective on freedom. Other countries have a unique perspective on building community. Others have the resource of intelligence or ingenuity or historical context or beautiful scenery or natural resources or surviving with little/nothing. Every country has something to offer. We can all learn from each other.
Americans have a reputation for going into other countries [as tourists] with their ego on full display, expecting everyone to cater to them. If we can be just a little bit more humble, ask questions and try to learn from others, then we as a people will be known as exceptional without having to try to prove it or persuade people that we are. Regardless of what our government is doing... next time you go to another country, try doing things their way without complaining about it.
Note: This is the fourth in a series of posts about my thoughts on social, political and moral issues of the day. Read others: #1 - "The Quest for Clarity" | #2 - "Choice? Life" | #3 - Money Money Money
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