Is America Exceptional in its Exceptionalism?

Abstract

If George Orwell was correct that “the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts,” then our treatment of the term “American exceptionalism” means that we have much to answer for. 1 The topic of this panel has important implications for the American polity, American foreign policy, and international relations. American exceptionalism is in itself a meaningful concept that can help in understanding what the United States does abroad and why it does it, but only if we uproot the thoughtless undergrowth that has all too often made it into either a platitude or a term of political abuse.