James Q. Wilson and American Exceptionalism
29 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2013 Last revised: 6 Oct 2023
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
This contribution to a festscrifft honoring the late political scientist James Q. Wilson explores the always-controversial claim of American exceptionalism, of which Wilson was a noted exponent. After an introduction to this debate, and an exploration of the concepts that organize it, I analyze the empirical basis for the exceptionalism claim, drawing heavily on the comparative analyses contained in the chapters of Understanding America: The Anatomy of an Exceptional Nation (Public Affairs, 2008), co-edited by Schuck and Wilson. These chapters focus on the political system; the legal system; the media; the military; religion; popular culture; the family; immigration; education; medical care; criminal justice; inequality, economic mobility, and social policy; and philanthropy and the non-profit sector.
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