Does Obama Believe in American Exceptionalism?

Grace Picariello

February 21, 2017

American Foreign Policy

Does Obama Believe in American Exceptionalism?

American Exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is the beacon on the hill that sets an example for all other nations. We are so exemplary that countries around the world look up to us, our policies, and our values. In other words, the United States sets a precedent for the rest of the world. 

President Obama does not disregard the idea of American Exceptionalism, but at the same time he does not embrace the idea in the way that other leaders and philosophers do/did. Obama does acknowledge the fact that we, as Americans, have a duty to something bigger than ourselves. He believes that we must rely on our ability to be self-critical as a way to evolve into a better nation over time, learning from our mistakes and setting an example. As John Winthrop states, "wee must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities" (Winthrop, City Upon A Hill). In other words, in order for us to be an example for other nations, we must be willing to change. Obama does not think that the idea of a country's exceptionalism is unique to America alone. He believes "in American exceptionalism, just as [he] suspects that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism" (Farley, 1). In other words, most people are naturally proud of their country and believe that it is better than everywhere else. This is the idea of nationalism fundamentally. However, the important distinction that President Obama makes is that not just Americans believe their nation is exceptional. This is a feeling that is shared by millions of other people from thousands of different countries. 

Obama sees the United States as somewhat of a work in progress. We constantly have the opportunity to better ourselves and this is something that we should take seriously. Obama feels that America has become a world superpower because of its' ability to change overtime, constantly improving. This way, eventually, we will be a nation unlike any other, in the idea that we truly are a beacon on the hill. Our policies will be tried and tested and at that point, we will be set apart from other countries. So, although Obama does not believe in American exceptionalism in the traditional definition, he certainly accepts that America is unique in other ways and might someday have the potential to set itself apart from everywhere else.

Works Cited:
Farley, Robert, "Fact Check: Obama and American Exceptionalism", Philly.com, http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/FactCheck_Obama_and_American_Exceptionalism.html

Winthrop, John, "City Upon A Hill", 1630