What was ‘exceptional’ about the USA —of course not the only place like this—is when it successfully put restraints on government for individuals, and had more open membership. The democracy part was always weaker, tho strengthened over time—but that was a main thing that caused a fascist reaction.
The exceptionalism is 80 internal & 20 external. Some of it is deserved but the over expressed self adulation is unhealthy esp when combined with insularity leading to unhinged & aggressive degradation of norms - viz the post shame post truth eventuality of fascistic capture. Sad.
I suspect the exceptionalism is CAUSED by a certain worldview or habit of thought linked to insularity, aggression, etc. (plus a false reading of our history) rather than itself the main cause of the stupidity, aggression, etc. The exceptionalism also has a function—to motivate and also to blind.
IMO it’s a bit more circular. If you believe (or are told) you are exceptional … why bother doing anything to improve or gain even more knowledge ? Net result is a dumber citizenry that quickly fills the Dunning Kruger cohort to bursting ! At that point they become very useful to demagogues. Sad
If you're talking about Americans--I don't get it. Never has a culture been more obsessed with self-improvement.
True @ 50,000ft it is an uber trait. Getting closer you find: 1. the Resigned - who have realised the deck is stacked against them & will complain or lash out, 2. the ShowPonies - who like standing front of full length mirrors, and 3. the Wokestars - credible individuals but the smallest cohort.
Fundamentally the majority are limited to a self-improvement that does not extend very far beyond themselves or their immediacy. I index that "problem" by measuring insularity regarding awareness of our global community cos it signals a lack of curiosity or empathic interest in 'the (unseen) other'
LOL we’re talking about hundreds of millions of people here
Yup - imo it can be labelled 'culture'. No national group is immune - it's just not as virulent in some places or hopefully its less consequential. That said a world view in itself doesn't guarantee better behaviour - but a lesser view definitely doesn't create more scope for good decision making.
Or world view—and there probably isn’t a single culture in any country. But certainly not one in a country where something like 15 -20% of the population is foreign born and large number of people have parents from other countries and there are big gaps in class and race.
There isn’t just one culture in the USA though?
For sure there is - it’s called ‘The American Dream’! Where I was lucky to be born we just call it ‘a bloody great place to live mate’. Sure we have some bozos too, and the struggle is always to stop them from buggering the country up!