American Narcissism: The Myth of National Superiority

Couverture
Algora Publishing, 2006 - 181 pages
Nationalism is not unique to America: it was invented with the birth of modern nations. But nationalism is unique in America. Americans conceive themselves and their nation to be incontrovertibly superior to the other peoples and nations of the earth. When does national pride cross the invisible boundary that separates benign patriotism and malignant nationalism?. Historically, American notions of superiority spring from myths of the unique regenerative power of the new land; from visions of chosen-ness, mission and high destiny; from the indelible legends of frontier self-sufficiency; from the confidence and self-reliance needed to succeed as immigrants; from a powerful sense of AmericaeOCOs isolation and uniqueness; from the realization of abundance; and finally from the perceived universality of American ideology. This predisposes us to a distinctively virulent strain of nationalism unlike that found in almost any other modern nation. As the unipolar moment fades into memory, this sense of unquestionable superiority eOCo expressed through politics and foreign policy eOCo does not play well before the global audience. In fact, it never did. Drawing on sources from within the academic disciplines of history, sociology, political science and foreign affairs, the book seeks to decode scholarly jargon and lay bare this corner of the American mind for the benefit of a wider readership."
 

Table des matières

Preface
1
Making the World Over in Americas Image
3
Notes on Nationalism
9
Nationalism
11
Types of Nationalism
21
The Evolution of the American Superiority Myth
27
The New World
29
Chosenness Mission and Destiny
39
Manifest Destiny and American Imperialism
95
The Leader of the Free World
107
The Arrogance of Power
123
The Presumption of National Superiority
135
The Myth of American Superiority
137
Blind Faith
151
Tolerance and Plurality
155
In Search of American Humility
157

Ideological Superiority
49
The Arrogance of Abundance
61
The Arrogance of Isolationism
75
Manifest Destiny and Continental Expansion
83

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Page 8 - We will cover the ocean with our merchant marine. We will build a navy to the measure of our greatness. Great colonies governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade. Our institutions will follow our flag on the wings of our commerce.

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