Theorizing American Exceptionalism An Interdisciplinary Historiography and Intellectual History

Abstract

‘American exceptionalism’ has become a ubiquitous concept in multiple fields of research. Complicating the picture, it has distinct definitions. To many scholars, ‘exceptionalism’ means that America is comparatively an ‘exception’. This non-normative definition refers to attributes interpretable positively or negatively. Conversely, many other scholars and much of the public interpret ‘American exceptionalism’ as a faith in American superiority. However, the diverse lines of exceptionalism scholarship are organized into separate fields that are hardly in dialogue, from history to law, criminology, sociology, political science, economics, international relations, American Studies, and beyond. This article therefore offers an interdisciplinary historiography and intellectual history of American exceptionalism that connects the dots between different fields by pointing to interrelationships not always apparent at first glance. The latest research notably addresses the United States’ distinctive evolution compared to other Western democracies or the wider world, including its growing polarization over numerous fundamental issues, such as abortion, health care, religion, race, criminal justice, guns, foreign policy, and authoritarianism. The article simultaneously explores the interplay between the comparative and ideological meanings of exceptionalism. In particular, scholars have suggested that the belief that America is ‘exceptional’ in the sense of exemplary has historically shaped distinctive behavior. Once placed in dialogue, separate fields each offer their own insights on American exceptionalism while helping nuance each other’s conclusions, thereby offering a broader understanding of a multifaceted subject.

Keywords: American Exceptionalism, Democracy, Polarization, Comparative History, International Relations