72 thoughts on “Blog #81 – American Exceptionalism”

1. emma gillard December 29, 2015 at 3:36 pm

   2) Self-interest rightly understood would mean that thinking about yourself and being selfish could be understood if it would help people. They also said that some of people ideas were for other people. Since it became the first idea for freedom then it would mean that they thought that if you were yourself and thought about yourself you could have freedom. So that was probably the basis for freedom. People wanted to be selfish and still be free because that is what everyone wants, to be free. So this phrase means that if you think about yourself and if you are selfish, in its own way you will be free and you will be able to help people.
   4) The great awakenings have changed society because it changed everyone’s way of thinking. First people would think differently about things and with the great awakening their mindset changed. It would also unify the society at one point. At first everyone at the similar ideas but with the Great Awakenings these ideas became the same and the people were able to find a common idea and it was easier for them to fight together since they had the same way of thinking and a common goal. It also joined together religion, people were starting not to trust religion but because of the great awakening people finally had refreshed minds with the same religious ideas and beliefs so people were more united.
   7) I think the least valid areas would be Slavery and Indians because that is true and most people know it. Everyone would say America is great and equal to everyone. But everyone would be lying as they said that because there still was slavery and slavery is not equality. Slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a human so they were not equal. That proves that American exceptionalism wasn’t right. There’s is also the egalitarian area, were some people were not equal. For example there were slaves and also differences between classes. Rich wouldn’t talk to poor people which was why they were not equal. There was also religiousness, people would think religion was the best thing anyone could do but they were wrong. Most intelligent people stopped being so serious about religion. Ideology was also one of the ideas, for example people tried to keep old ideas and say they were new but they weren’t and what they should have done was they should have left old ideas and actually thought of new ones. And finally there’s community life. People made it seem like it was great and with lots of activities. There was that but they forgot to mention the poor people and other sufferings. For the most valid areas there is Industriousness because Americans really wanted money and to be successful. So they worked really hard and finally were able to be a very rich country.
   9) I think America is still exceptional. What I mean by exceptional is that people still believe in America and not everyone believes in their country. I think that some people from other countries have lost hope in their own country. But America still believes and also tries to help other countries tries believe which I think makes his country exceptional. I love that America still tries and believes in themselves and think they can be the best. Other countries have given up and we also try to give some other countries that hope by helping them. This is why I think this country is exceptional.
2. David Kent December 30, 2015 at 3:25 pm

   1. The frontier has shaped America by providing a safe place for immigrants to settle and mingle with American citizens without making them go head to head in order to become successful. The frontier offered enough land for Americans and non-Americans alike, which made sure there weren’t hostile reactions to immigrants coming to America and taking up land. The frontier also created the need to create ways to get costal goods inland towards the growing number of settlers. This proved to be the catalyst in the creation of America’s transportation setup, connecting Americans from all ends of the nation together. Lastly, packing up all your belongings and hitting the trail to try and start a new life created a sense of individualism that Americans cherish. People felt like they were making their own path in life and doing what they needed to do to thrive. This kind of thinking is a key part in the backbone of American traits and values, and it stemmed from the simple, go-get-it attitudes and lifestyles of the frontier.
   7. I think the most valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism is the area of slavery and Indians. This area is the hardest to argue for a positive American trait since what America did to enslaved African Americans and Native Americans was so inexcusable. This topic is very blunt, and the simple fact is that America was in the wrong. You cannot paint the treatment of American slaves or the pushing of Indians off their lands in a positive light, and it will continue to be a negative spot in the description of America for as long as the nation lasts. I feel the least valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism is the area of industriousness. Murray argues that, “Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power. Europeans take time to smell the roses.” This is more of an opinion that a fact and Murray gives no hard evidence to support his claim. While this statement could be true, it could also be the opposite when talking about certain individuals. This claim is too much without proper evidence to be validated.
   8. I would agree in saying that many of today’s elite “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America.” You see those reality T.V. shows with wealthy people arguing with one another and crying over trivial matters, and many people not as better-off than those reality stars are thinking, “Is that really all those people have to worry about?” It is safe to say that many of these reality stars grew up in privileged families that helped give them a better chance at success in life by elevating them to the point where they didn’t need to worry about the problems that most Americans face daily. This wealthy upbringing draws a money curtain around the elite, sheltering them from mainstream America and its troubles.
   9. I believe that America is still exceptional today because of how we have kept up our revolutionary beliefs and values that Americans fought for at the nation’s birth. Beliefs like our constitutional rights and checks and balances within the government made America stand out from the rest of the world back in the late 1700s. Still today, those values are honored and people are willing to uphold those values no matter the cost. We will go to court to make sure our rights aren’t being violated in matters of searches without a warrant or gay rights, and people volunteer in the military to fight and keep our American values secure. Exceptionalism means that we are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep the American beliefs that were so radical yet precious and under this definition present-day America is still exceptional.
3. Ruby Kolender December 30, 2015 at 10:56 pm

   3. I believe that we still have an egalitarian society as defined by Murray because he makes it clear that America was egalitarian because of the way the classes were able to get along. He mentions that unlike other countries, Americans of the lower class never had to address the upper class in a particular way or treat them any differently. He goes on to say that yes, there were different classes, however, America was not a class society because people didn’t let the classes define each other. Not only this, but America had a social class system unlike the works of any other country because at the time, people felt that the only way you could judge a person was by how much money they had. Since America never let the idea of social classes get in the way of how people act towards one another, I think it is clear that America remains an egalitarian society.
   5. I think the aspect of community life and voluntary associations has been forgotten over the centuries, because by the end of the 20th century people started to lose basic trust in their neighbors, causing the beginning of the 21st century to have a lacking sense of togetherness. I agree with the fact that America has lost a sense of community, however, I do not understand why Murray is focussing on the loss of community within the working class. I do not quite understand why the working class is his main concern, when Murray had pointed out at the beginning of his writing that America was exceptional because strangers counted on strangers to do neighborly things for them. This doesn’t necessarily regard the working class. I think the reason why America lost this sense of togetherness is because once America was its own power, no people really needed to count on one another to get as much done, causing strangers to feel more generally distant from one another.
   7. I think the most valid area of American Exceptionalism is Industriousness. After the War of Independence, Americans actually realized that they could be even greater than just being a free country, they could be their own self reliant country and the inventors of pretty much the only functional government there was at the time. Murray had stated that “Industriousness means something more than working hard,” which has proven to be true by countless great American leaders. For example, Nixon and Johnson, both the presidents involved in the Vietnam War, were both criticized for their attempts to stay true to their position in the war yet could not make sensible decisions based on their position, such as supporting South Vietnam but bombing it anyways. Both Presidents tried so unbelievably hard to do what was right for their country, and even thought they technically failed, did we not give them enough credit for this incredible effort, which could be defined as Industriousness? The most invalid aspect of American Exceptionalism is Religiosity. John Addams wrote “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people,” yet he didn’t define what he meant by religious. If I don’t really consider myself a religious person, I guess I’m supposed to assume the Constitution doesn’t apply to me. Early Americans consisted of many Puritans and Separatists, which makes sense why this would be an aspect of American Exceptionalism. However, exceptionalism argues that America is an egalitarian society, and an egalitarian society it wouldn’t be if the Constitution only applied to religious people.
   9. I believe that America is still exceptional, and by exceptional I mean different. Yes, every country is different from one another, but different in a sense that it can provide the people with what they need to be satisfied and stand out from other countries in that way. Not every country knows what it’s like to have a society that allows the people to have a lifestyle that wants them to be free and be able to shape themselves the life they want to lead, or a government that treats everyone fairly. These are things that seem so simple to citizens of the U.S, however, we shouldn’t take them for granted, especially when this is what makes us stand out from other countries.
4. Yuval K. December 31, 2015 at 3:55 pm

   1. The frontier changed America in a few ways. One way was the expansion of land. When the nation expanded lands across the Appalachian Mountains, the colonists found acers upon acers of the “richest soil in the world…” This “new” part of the United States meant that citizens and new immigrants did not need to fight over land anymore because there was a lot of land available. There wasn’t any more crowded space, now there was “plenty of room to spread out.” Historian Fredrick Jackson Turner created a theory of American exceptionalism. He believed that the reason why the American identity developed is because of the frontier. Because of the frontier, many new immigrants came to the US. When the new immigrants came to the US, they caused mixed races and no longer was English a nationality or characteristic. In addition, the frontier made the need for more manufactured goods from the East Coast to help with transportation in the new nation. The transportation included roads, canals, and railways.
   2. My interpretation of self-interest rightly understood is doing something for others. To me, self-interest rightly understood is going out of my way to do something for somebody else. Taking time out of my day to help someone in need of assistance. Self-interest rightly understood is not being selfish. It is not saying “I’ll help this person another time.” Self-interest rightly understood is when a person goes out and does good things in the world. That person doesn’t wait for something good to happen, they do the good thing. Self-interest rightly understood shaped America in a special way. This shaped America by making it a freedom land. The United States had become “the basis for the defenses of freedom.” Freedom wasn’t just meant for the elite, the intelligent people in the universities or the political theorists. This freedom was for the whole nation. Self-interest rightly understood was an acceptance for everybody.
   7. I think the most valid of the six areas of criticism is the egalitarianism issue. I think this is the most valid because some places, even today, are trying to keep everything equal. But it’s hard to do that because many people don’t consider others equal. Moreover, not everybody is truly equal. Everybody has their way of living. For example, a person who has a lot of money and a person who has no money aren’t necessarily equal. Their living status is totally different. But if we look at the nineteenth century American outlook of egalitarianism, than people might be a little more equal, even today. In America, there is no king, queen, prince, duke, commoner, knight. No one in America bows down to a person with more money. The people who don’t have as much money don’t think of themselves poor, they think of themselves as a working middle class. In addition, one can’t always say that he is equal to the person next to him. For example, African Americans and Native Americans. They were not treated equal, they were treated like they don’t matter. African Americans were taken as slaves and were looked down upon. Native Americans were pushed off their land and were forced to live somewhere else. The least valid of the six areas of criticism is community life. Murry claims that “But widespread voluntary mutual assistance among unrelated people who happen to live alongside each other has been rare.” I disagree with that because I have seen my family help out our neighbors and vice versa. They weren’t very big things, but we helped each other.
   9. I think that America is still exceptional. What I mean by exceptional is that America doesn’t stop trying. America keeps evolving. America tries to improve lives in its country and outside of it. America has made mistakes and will make more, but it always dusts itself off and tries again. It might have taken years to end up where we are now, but now we are one of the superpowers. Even so, we are still improving. America tries its best to help people in its own country who need help. America tries to help people in other countries that need help. So yes, I believe that America is still exceptional.
5. Christian Zeitvogel (2nd Hour) December 31, 2015 at 6:56 pm

   1.) The frontier has shaped not only by increasing the size of the country numerous times, but also sculpted a form of identity and unity for American settlers and citizens. In terms of an identity, Murray’s essay focuses on the point that ever since the discovery of the country and the first migrations to America, that these settlers, dreamers, farmers, worshipers, etc. had to be almost crazy if they were determined to cross an ocean into the unknown and start a new form of civilization in some place completely foreign and practically unscathed by human interaction.
   “What kind of people were likely to accept the hazards and hardships of that crossing [the Atlantic]? …. What kind of people were willing to cross the ocean, chop down the forest, and after all that, were prepared to subsist with hardly any access to either the necessities or comforts of life that weren’t grown, gathered shot, bred, spun, woven, slated, churned, milled, distilled, quarried, hewn, and constructed by their own families?”
   Murray argues the idea that these frontiersmen established the proud American traits of ruggedness, individuality, daring, cunning, strength combined with acuteness, and a striking ambition for individual success. Also, Murray brings up the point the expansion of the country provided a balance of the dependence between rural and urban society. As the frontier expanded, these settling people relied on developed cities for manufactured goods, while the urban centrals fed off of the raw materials coming in from the outskirts of the country. Due to this healthy trading system, the country stayed united and it transitioned into the necessity and development of improved infrastructure such as roads, bridges, canals, and eventually railways.

   4.) Due to the fact that religion is deeply embedded in American society, every time a form of a Great Awakening of religion occurred, some sort of momentous action(s) sparked shortly afterwards. The first Great Awakening which occurred in the early to mid-1700’s, launched by pastor George Whitfield, laid the basis for the American Revolution. This Awakening resulted in the rapid spread of humanist thinking. People began to question the authority of their religions, and the people in charge of it such as their own pastors, priests, etc. If people could question the authority and validity of their religions, then they could also start to question the authority of their government and ruler. The next Great Awakening occurred roughly less than a hundred years later around the early 1800’s until about the 1840’s. These new radical ideas helped polarize the great divide in the nation as it promoted the ideas of abolitionism. Shortly after this movement, the Civil War had been initiated. Lastly, the third Great Awakening provided the morals behind the ratification of women’s sovereignty in the early 20th century, the economic reform provided by the New Deal in the 1930’s, and eventually the agonizing fight for civil liberties for blacks in the 60’s.

   7.) Based off of Murray’s interpretations and explanations, his most valid criticisms are his highlight on America’s dark mark on our mistreatment on Native Americans and African Americans. Even since the Spain arrived in the New World they also demonstrated their abuse of the natives in their ecomienda system. Even to this day, we still turn a blind eye towards the injustice that we’ve inflicted upon the Native American. From our use of biological warfare with small pox blankets, to Andrew Jackson’s IRA policy, to modern day ignorance to the hardships and inequality within Native American reservations, the U.S. has made countless atrocities towards this innocent race. Today within the GOP, presidential candidate, Donald Trump, proposes his policy of exporting citizens of Muslim and Mexican backgrounds saying that they’re “not American” or that they’re polluting or damaging the country. We forget the fact that we are a nation of immigrants, invaders, and hypocrites, in a way, forgetting about the original inhabitants that we’ve practically expunged from society. Murray was also valid in bringing up the point on slavery that used to plague our country. Fortunately, we’ve ratified the 13th amendment, and have since further advanced the rights of black citizens. However, we still can’t forget the dark streak on our history.
   Another one of Murray’s valid points was his explanation of America’s “industriousness”; it ties into his explanation of America’s egalitarianism; that American’s don’t have an economically equal system. He claims that “American’s live to work, while Europeans work to live”, and in our modern-day America, this is true. The reason Americans seem so obsessed with money and possessions is because our current economic structure and operation is so toxic for the common man that he can’t help but worry about his money. If we’re going to compare American work ethics to Europeans, then we should also consider their differences in income. For a blue-collared worker in America, they might work several jobs and still live from paycheck to paycheck, and have no benefits. In many European countries, many working-class people can easily get by simply by working in an occupation as simple as the fast food industry. In Denmark, for instance, a Burger King employee makes roughly $20/hour, when measured in the USD. The typical U.S. Burger King employee only makes $9/hour. To tie this all together, the Dalai Lama explained his opinion on man when it comes to materialism.
   “He [man] sacrifices his health to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.”
   A typical working class European doesn’t have to worry about their personal finances too much and can live a happy, fairly blithe life. A person working forty hours a week in America might be living in poverty, or might be going through their day worried about how they’ll pay for their next meal, or if they’ll be able to support their kid(s) or other loved ones.
   On the contrary, Murray’s one point that is probably the least valid is his position of America’s behavioral egalitarianism. The ideas that he presented from Tocqueville back in the 19th century don’t apply to America today. I refer to Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, again for my argument. Tocqueville gave his description of a positive and integrated mingling between the upper and lower classes. And that there wasn’t an air of superiority with the upper- class. Unfortunately, it’s much more difficult to observe this today. Donald Trump, a successful multi-billionaire, has often expressed his opinions of being a good leader or better than somebody else because of his pile. During one GOP primary debate, Trump dismissed another Republican candidate’s arguments, Ohio governor John Kasich, against him saying that, “I don’t need to listen to him; I have more money than him.” In fact, in one interview with The Donald, he said, “the beauty of me, is that I’m very wealthy.” In conclusion, while there are still some upper- class citizens that uphold Tocqueville’s observations, there is also a new divide between the two polar social classes.

   9.) In my opinion based off of Murray’s definitions of “exceptional”, America is still exceptional in many ways. In this case, America still leaves a footprint on other countries. Murray explains that the American Exceptionalism is viewed by other Western nations, not just the U.S. He brings up the point of mentioning the Latin phrase on our Great Seal “novus ordo seclorum”- “a new order of the ages”; he compares it to the birth of a new nation and the attempt at a completely new form of government. Ever since the end of the cold War in 1991, the U.S. has been the last official superpower of the world (even though it’s debatable that Russia and/or China are attempting to compete with us for this position), and we have enforced this by acting as the global police and influence. As the Cold War was coming to an end, and most countries were adopting the ideas of democracy and capitalism in 1989, historian Francis Fukuyama made the observation that,
   “What we may be witnessing… is not just the end of the Cold War, or the passing of a particular period of post-war history, but the end of history as such: that is, the end of mankind’s ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government.”
   With the conclusion of the Cold War, the U.S. brought to a close the greatest ideological struggle the world has witnessed, and birthed a new era and influence of democracy and capitalism across the globe, besides a few exceptions.
6. Josh Klein January 1, 2016 at 8:23 pm

   1. The frontier has shaped America by giving all people an opportunity to live the American Dream by claiming their Natural Rights. It also takes a very determined and strong willed soul to survive on the frontier. With the majority of people surviving on their own products, frontiersman had to complete difficult tasks to survive. These men and women would have to chop down and root stumps before they were even able to begin plating crops. The people who thrived on the frontier tended to be courageous, honest, hardworking, and were members of tightly knit families. Because of the existence of the frontier, the American identity was able to evolve. With immigrants entering the young country with little to no money, they were forced onto the frontier. There, immigrants were Americanized, liberated, and were mixed together with people of different nationality and race. With more people claiming the frontier as their home, the need for manufactured goods began to grow. To feed the need on the frontier, infrastructure including roads, canals, and railways were built, to bind the nation together as one.
   3. I find that we still have an egalitarian society as defined by the author. Murray defines egalitarianism of the 19th century in America as one that had nothing to do with the equality outcomes, but rather equality of human dignity. He claims that no aristocracy meant no labels for different social classes. Since there were no labels for different social classes, there weren’t special greetings that would go with those labels. Although the modern definition of egalitarian refers to equality to all, I find that the 19th century definition in America can still apply to the modern day. In my personal point of view, there aren’t labels for different social classes and no special greetings for those higher social and economically. We do refer to our elders as sir or madam occasionally, but I believe that is purely out of respect.
   7. Out of the six areas of criticism, I find that Slavery and Indians and Community Life are the most valid. It is hard to describe America as being exceptional in a positive manner. Like all other societies, America has had its faults. Many tend to ignore or try to forget about the many years spent oppressing Native Americans and African Americans. I personally feel that s a country, we have made major steps towards equality and civil rights for those oppressed. We have learned from the past and know not to do it again, but others tend to point out those past events to try and take away our sense of exceptionalism. As for community life, the author makes a very well written point. From the sense of American Exceptionalism comes an individual sense too. Many people want to succeed on their own and do not want help from others. If it is needed, they may ask, but do not appreciate it when people around them attempt to intervene without notification. As for the others, Ideology, Industriousness, Egalitarianism, and Religiosity, are the least valid points of criticism. I find that they have the weakest arguments and that the same statements can be used as positives for the concept of American Exceptionalism.
   9. I believe that America is still exceptional to this day. One of the interpretations Murray gives the reader is that America has a special mission in the world and used in support of whatever measures that mission is taken to imply. Although it is not the one Murray claims to be his, I still find it as a great interpretation. Whenever there is trouble in the world that may pose a threat to our way of life, America makes it its job to solve to foreign issue. America is a major super power in the modern world and uses that power for good. Some countries may not see what Americans do as exceptional, but it is done so that those in distress may see a better way of life.
7. Derrick Lockhart January 2, 2016 at 9:14 pm

   9) To be honest at first I was not sure what Murray meant by exceptional. Through his explanation though, it was revealed to me that American exceptionalism was not what made America great or exceptional, it was what made America, America. I believe that Murray gave good detailed reasons on why America was exceptional and how the brand-new America differs from now. That being said, in essence America is still exceptional. No, the frontier does not exist anymore. But, America still attracts the same people with the same characteristics as the American frontier did. Sure they might be illegal immigrants but they are still ambitious and willing to work for the American dream. Another reason for America is still exceptional is because of its neighborliness and voluntarist nature. I, on average, probably saw about 50 commercials this winter break about how you can donate to Saint Jude’s, or Red Cross, or to the humane society! Americans still have that way of coming together and helping their fellow man. Murray used the fact that now, America is maybe less exceptional because less people have a religion. To that, I say that when speaking on the terms of religiosity we have to take in the fact that in America that also means having no religion at all. America is and will probably always be exceptional, but as the world changes the ways in which we are will change as well.
   7) I love my country but we are not perfect. The six areas of criticism of American Exceptionalism are not explained into much depth but because many of them are valid they don’t have to be. Hands down the most valid criticism is of Slavery and Indians. How can a country use the ideas of John Lock; claiming that all men are born equal and then enslave an entire race? How can a country claim to have volunteerism and neighborliness on the list of why there exceptional and then forget the fact that for centuries they have been stealing land from its rightful owners? The least valid would have to be industriousness. On that topic, Americans have always been obsessed with money. I’m not sure what Europeans thought Americans were working so hard for back in the 19 century……..but it was and always will be money. Money AND power, of course.
   1) Before reading the American Exceptionalism, I had no idea about what the frontier was, after short research I found what it was and why it was so essential to American life. The frontier was the contrasting region at the edge of a European-American line of settlement, or settled area. The frontier was the essence of America life. It was where the hardworking American emerged. You could go to the frontier and start a new life for yourself; field with opportunities. If you could make it to the frontier, you could make it anywhere. Because of the frontier America got its name for the hardworking, gritty American man. It shaped America into do-it-yourself, work hard and you can do anything, type of country.
   8) Murrays makes a good point when pointing out the fact that today we don’t see the “start from the bottom now I’m at the top” American. He says that our elite are not in touch with the mainstream America and I believe him. To start a line of wealthy family members, there has to be someone that started at the bottom (Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D Rockefeller, etc.) This its self I feel is a critic of its on America exceptionalism. Most of our elite are simply inherits of someone else hard work; they only reap befits.
8. Mary Kauffman January 3, 2016 at 1:20 pm

   9) I think that America is still somewhat exceptional today. Just as Murray said, I think one of the reasons that America is so exceptional, is because it is so different from all of the other countries, and the way they are run. The concept of American exceptionalism has become associated with emotions; however, American exceptionalism does not imply that America is excellent. Even though America has done some great things, and made some great decisions, we must also acknowledge some of the shameful aspects of our history, including slavery; the extermination of Native Americans; and the current American obsession with money and power. America is and probably always will be “exceptional”, but the word “exceptional” probably means different things to different people.
   7) The six criticisms of American exceptionalism are explained throughout the pamphlet, and I think that the most valid point by far was Slavery and Indians. America is built on the foundation that all men are equal. How can that be true if we counted slaves as being 3/5 of a person, or as property? This will always be an example of something that America clearly did wrong, because it is not okay to push people out of their land, when they were clearly here first, or to treat people like property, just because they have a different skin color. Another valid point by Murray was egalitarianism- the belief that Americans are all equal. We are not equal at all, some people are paid a fortune, and have loads of money to throw around, whereas others are struggling economically, and can barely make enough money to support themselves and/or their families. Americans are not, were never, and will never be equal, there is just too big of an economic gap between the wealthy and the poor.
   2) In my mind “self-interest rightly understood” means people thinking not selfishly and helping others as opposed to doing what’s best for only them. For example, if you were asked what you would do with a million dollars, you would rarely hear an answer like “I would donate it ALL to charity”, because that’s just not how the human mind works, people are going to be selfish, and do what’s best for them and their families. Self Interest rightly understood is kind of the opposite; it is donating some of that money to charity, and doing good deeds, that will still benefit you as a person. This principle does not suggest that you sacrifice big things, just doing something small that can help another person out.
   1) The frontier was a goal that Americans could strive to achieve. People would travel to reach the frontier to start a better life for themselves, it was a place where many different people could come to live together. The frontier also offered land to both Americans, and non-Americans, and helped with the expansion of land. Now there was more room to move around, and people went so crowded, this was said to help with American Identity. People from all different ethnicities moved to the frontier, which really shaped America as being a “nation of immigrants”. Along with their new found identities, the frontier also allowed Americans create new forms of transportation including railroads.
9. Dahvi Lupovitch January 3, 2016 at 2:21 pm

   7. Charles Murray describes six criticisms of American exceptionalism: Slavery and Indians, Ideology, Industriousness, Egalitarianism, Religiosity, and Community life. Out of the six criticisms of American exceptionalism, slavery and egalitarianism are the most valid criticisms. This is because the Constitution says, “all men are created equal.” If this was true, why did America put people into slavery, the Indians specifically? Also, what about women? The equality of women is much greater in European countries compared to America. On the other hand, religiosity and community life are the least valid criticisms. It is silly to say that just because Americans still believe in superstition and they pray it means that they are not as intelligent as those in Europe. Murray says that religiosity by the Americans forces “reactionary policies,” which means to be like everybody else. This does not make any sense because the whole point of American exceptionalism is to be different because who are they acting like if everybody else in the world does not believe in religion anymore? They are being only like themselves. Community life is also an invalid criticism of what American exceptionalism really is. It is unfair to say that even though people are trying to volunteer, because there are still those in need, the two do not work together because the Americans are still trying to get rid of poverty and help those who need it.

   3. I do not believe that we live in what Murray defines as an egalitarian society because he says that if you work hard, eventually you will succeed and that is all it takes. However, in the society we live in today, this is not true. Many people, no matter how hardworking or qualified they may be, are discriminated and rejected for petty reasons such as race or gender. Women today are still not equal to men, no matter how intelligent or experienced they may be and this is an issue throughout our society that prevents it from being what Charles Murray describes as an “egalitarian” society.

   1. The frontier has shaped America in the way that it has created diversity. The frontier attracted people from all over the world such as Europe, Asia, or Latin America. Because of this America has become a world completely different from anywhere else on Earth. There is no official language or culture or religion of the American nation. Because no other country has been able to live in this way, America is globally known as exceptional.

   9. In my opinion, America is still exceptional today for many reasons. America is the most powerful nation in the world. Even though we are in a lot of debt, we have powerful armed forces and we have friends in other countries. Also, America is very diverse. As of right now, any immigrant from any place is allowed to come and make a life in America. Finally, the American government is different than any government in the world. America was the first republic, which means that it is run by the people and for the people and no one is in charge of everything because of the three branches of government and checks and balances. American exceptionalism is still present in the world today.
10. Isabella Levitt January 3, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    1. The frontier shaped America in a variety of ways. It lessened tensions between citizens of the country and the new immigrants. There was now no need to fight over land, because there was enough of it for everyone. The sheer amount of land brought a need for some established way to have transportation across the country. Because of this need, roads, canals, and railroads eventually filled this need. Lastly, the frontier united the people who lived there, and a “mixed race, English in neither nationality nor characteristics” was formed, bringing a sense of unity to the area.

    3. As defined by Murray, you could argue either way in the subject of America as an egalitarian society. On one hand, we could be said to have one, because there are no names or distinctive clothes that are meant for just one group of people or class. This isn’t like how in England, kings and queens were addressed in a certain way. But at the same time, there is a clear difference between classes. In the definition of egalitarianism, it mentions that they didn’t want class distinction, but it seems that in modern day society, people don’t mind the class divide, and some people do have distaste for all lower class people, regardless of why they might be in that situation.

    4. I think the most valid argument against American exceptionalism would be the one to do with slavery and Native Americans. It is difficult to describe a nation as positive or exceptional when they are enslaving the people who were there before them, and people from other places that have no business being enslaved. Throughout history, this has been an ignored fact when it comes to describing America as exceptional, in the manner spoken of. The least valid argument against American exceptionalism, to me, is religiosity. Though a counterargument is made against what I say, I disagree strongly. In our nation, one of the biggest points we like to emphasize is freedom, and that includes freedom of religion. It makes us different from those around us, which tend to have one secular religion. The idea that people can practice what they want, is one that makes us exceptional, just maybe in a different sense than others might consider.

    9. I believe that, in many of the important ways, America can’t be considered exceptional. This isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate or love my country; I just see room for improvement. A large part of being able to consider us exceptional would be having equality for all, and we aren’t entirely there yet. Of course, we are getting closer, with the Black Lives Matter movement becoming prominent, and marriage equality coming up. This is the way that I do think America is exceptional, that we are learning with the times and coming up with new ways to improve. There is still more to go, though, such as continuing to eliminate discrimination against minorities (this includes race and sexuality).
11. Vincent Jackson January 4, 2016 at 7:07 am

    4. During the Great Awakening, the new lights had preached that each American could have a greater more personal relationship with god. This of course developed upon the concept of American Exceptionalism. American Exceptionalism is further developed during the Great Awakenings as America becomes more rebellious, and a new way of thinking is introduced, Americans refuted authority, and with the spread of the idea that every American could have a personal relationship with god, it is easy to see how the concept of American Exceptionalism developed among the colonist during the 19th and 20th Century.
    6. I think when Murray states we have no political party for working class people, he means that between the Democrats and Republicans (then Federalist and Republicans), we never had a party that consist of and mainly represent the working class. In the Past it appears that most of our presidential debates come down to economic views that benefit either the rich, or the poor, rarely does it appear that someone is representing the working class, and trying to put their investment into the working class. Regarding his statement “America did not live in a class conscious culture” I think he means that Americans never judged each other buy their social class, the money they make, or the type of background that they come from. Honestly, I couldn’t disagree any more than I do. Especially in today’s society, a person’s background and social status is nearly everything to almost everyone, and social class or financial background has been the determining factor for a lot of things. The American dream supports that you can end up anywhere you want to be, however I’ve found this to be too hypothetical and uncontrollable.
    7. Considering all areas of criticism, I think that Slavery and Indians and Community Life are the most valid. It is hard to view America in a positive light considering all the wrong we have done during slavery and to the Native Americans. America itself is not perfect however, many turn the other way or overlook the time persecuting Native Americans and African Americans. I feel that America have made strides towards equality and making things right, but we still have quite the ways to go. We have learned from the past and bettered ourselves. As far as community life, the author makes a very well written argument, and supports it very well. I feel that the other criticisms, Ideology, Industriousness, Egalitarianism, and Religiosity, definitely make an argument, however I feel they aren’t as strongly supported, or as easily argued for. I find that the other criticism have weaker arguments and could easily be overlooked as far as the concept of American Exceptionalism.
    9. As far as whether or not America is still exceptional is hard to say because I do believe America is a great country, I love my country and would do anything for it, however I think it is absolutely too much to say that we are exceptional. The arguments in the pamphlet were very strongly supported, however there is too much error in our ways as Americans to call ourselves “exceptional”. Hardly anything we do is exceptional to other countries, the concept of American Exceptionalism was developed during a time in which America was experiencing glory to the fullest with the second defeat of the British (at the time the most powerful army in the world), and the expansion of land, however people forget the important pieces of the puzzle, the help we received to defeat the British, and the entire reason that the wars (Revolutionary, and 1812) begun in the first place.
12. Ashley January 4, 2016 at 10:28 am

    1.) The frontier has helped shape America, by allowing ways for opportunity and individualism. When America gained the land from Napoleon in the Louisiana Purchase, westwards laid vast land of rich fertile soil. The land not only held promises for farmers, but also immigrants. The frontier was a hotspot for people all over who wanted to start a new life or, were in search of land. Either way there was enough room for new and old settlers. According to Fredrick Jackson Turner, the frontier helped America form a type of individualistic identity. Immigrants from near and far had fused with the Americans and became Americanized. As more people were drawn to the booming frontier, manufactured goods were made for the people who, in return, enabled the construction of railroads, trains, roads, canals, and other ways of transportation. These types of public works helped to unite America by allowing those from the opposite side of the country to travel the other side easier. Another view point from Turner on the American frontier is that it made America develops a personality/character. Americans of the frontier had an adaptive strong mind that was inquisitive and sagacious with their roughness and strength. They were innovative and had a sense of individualism yet, also having the capability put their efforts towards good or evil.

    5.) In my opinion, Murray is correct when he states that the aspect of community life (social trust and neighborliness) “has been largely forgotten”. However, I disagree with the quote when it pertains to the voluntary associations aspect of community life. By this quote, I consider that it means many of people have forgotten the community life and associations and won’t acknowledge/ haven’t acknowledged them as much as they used to. According to Murray’s examples of the community life, there was generosity in neighborliness and a means of social trust where, Americans had good faith in strangers. There was also civil engagement to solve problems (voluntary associations). There groups would promote education, assistance to the poor, justice, and other issues seen in America. Compared to today, there’s a major difference (positive and negative) between the way civil engagement, social trust, and neighborliness is. I feel that all three of these points affect one another in a way. First, associations today have greatly increased in numbers to promote donations towards breast cancer, child situations (hunger, homelessness, need of clothes, disease), animal conditions (hunger, homelessness, abuse), and several other concerns not only in America, but worldwide. Since the consumption boom in the fifties, the most effective way to sell, promote, or notify a great number of individuals is by television commercials and the old way of newspapers (magazines now too). Associations used these types of public announcements to state their cause and convince/persuade people to help. These associations have also grown in schools, churches, stores, and other public areas. However, with social trust down, voluntary associations meanings can become cloudy. Some people don’t trust certain associations, because they don’t trust the people of the association. Whenever money is mentioned, three negative words that pop into people’s minds are scam, cheat, or lie. Many of the associations who ask for money on to say they’ll give the money to the cause, whether it be animals or kids, etc, and make the commercials heart-breaking to bring out the sympathetic sides of the viewers. The phony/corrupt associations then take the donations sent in for themselves or give the cause the least amount of the share. However, the viewer/donators will never really know if their money reached the hungry children in a particular country or, the abused dogs shown in the commercial. I believe that the significant decrease in social trust is due to the natural fact that people’s mentality and social traits are changing for, everyone is much different than the 1800s or 1950s. Also, people are more skeptical of others due to the influence of pop culture (movies, shows, music). If a movie use to show men or, women or, a minority be untrustworthy or, a type of negative way, people tend to take that as a message that it’s true. It truly makes me wonder how much can our entertainment and media influence and control our population today… As for neighborliness, most people now a days are in favor of being self-dependent and kept to themselves sin a mannerly way. By this, I mean that people won’t isolate themselves and totally shut off from their neighbors, but will be cordial with one another. More like working in a cooperation. You don’t know one another or, know each other’s full history, but you’re able to easily communicate with one another on a mutual level.

    7.) In my opinion, the concept of slavery and Native Americans and egalitarianism are the most valid out of the six areas of criticism of American Exceptionalism. The areas that I feel are in between are industriousness and community life. The least valid areas are the critiques of ideology and religiosity. The subject of slavery and the annihilation of the Native Americans was a blind spot to the concept of American Exceptionalism that hadn’t want to be acknowledged. Even after slavery, African Americans were not safe from the prejudice, discrimination, and ridicule from the Americans. Knowing that this horrendous and barbaric deed was unacceptable and inhuman, promoters of American Exceptionalism simply wanted to sweep the dust under the rug instead of acknowledging the dark past of America.
    In regards to egalitarianism, we have come a long ways with the different forms of equality in America, starting with the Declaration of Independence, which told how all men are created equal and are born with a set of natural rights that can’t be withheld or, denied from them. The 14th Amendment (1868) allowed the rights of all citizens, including blacks. The 19th Amendment, in 1920, that allowed women to vote. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation and discrimination of gender, race, and religion in the public and work force. Also, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, allowed African Americans to finally vote. Even the Equal Rights Amendment, which was strongly fought for by women (NOW) but wasn’t fully ratified, left a huge mark on the world. However, these are just laws and rules that are easily broken on a day to day basis. If someone said racism or sexism doesn’t exist because of the laws, they would be wrong. The critic is also right where it talks of economic inequality. Relating back to the previous acts, there is nothing stopping a man from getting paid a larger sum than a woman that has the same occupation. Another type of inequality in America is social class differences. There are many places, primarily states with big cities that have huge gaps between the rich and middle class or poor. For instance, New York has the largest gap between the rich and poor in America. It can clearly be seen by where someone lives, the types of transportation they take, and definitely by their appearance.
    The critique of community life, in my opinion, is one of the most and least valid answers. Since community life is divided in two sorts: social trust/neighborliness and associations, social trust/neighborliness would be most valid and associations would be the least valid. As I states earlier in my blog (#5) social trust has gone down due to the simple evolution of human kind. Not everyone is born untrustworthy, but as their character develops and they get older, their actions will determine whether they are or aren’t. Neighborliness has in fact gone down not only because of social trust, but that people like to be more independent and kept to themselves. I’m not saying they’re so self-reliant that they’ve cut themselves off from their neighbors, but it’s more of a cordial relationship. However, if certain neighbors were childhood friends or, were close in the past, then that’s a different situation.
    I believe that the review of America’s industriousness is valid and invalid, like community life. Yes, I agree that many of Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power, but not all. We are in a society where many people were raised knowing that money is the key to survival. While the abundance of money grows, greed is an expected human behavior to occur. This then leads into the obsession of money, possessions, and power. The portion of Americans who aren’t attics of money, possessions, and power could be classified as a middle and lower class. They are the ones who work hard to earn their pay and strive for a large sum so they can sustain life better. (Now I don’t think that all upper-class or, rich people are money, possession, and power freaks, but it is primarily their side that has that situation.) I truly disagree with the critique when it said that Europeans work to live and Americans don’t, because like I previously states, not all people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, so they have to work to earn money to survive in our world today.
    As for the ideology of American Exceptionalism, this critique is invalid, because it simply agrees with the facts/opinions Murray has displayed so, there truly is no argument. America has been able to keep a limited government that refers to the views of the Founding Fathers and doesn’t have a political party with a working class base. Commenting that, “America should not be struggling to hold on to the remnants of its exceptional ideology but struggling to free itself from them” is an opinionated claim without any reasoning or evidence to try and persuade the reader. However, it does indicate that the person is indifferent to the American ideology, but why is the question.
    The religiosity critique is invalid, because at the end of the packet Murray states that, “Americans still profess a belief in God and attend church far more frequently than Europeans, but secularization has increased substantially.” Here, the quote clearly indicates that Americans as a whole, intelligent and unintelligent, still worships God more than the Europeans. It even includes that Americans have also gone through secularization as the Europeans did (this part was stated in the critic’s excerpt). However, I do feel that the critique’s argument wasn’t very strong and could’ve used a bit more reasoning and evidence to clearly convey his point.

    9.) In my opinion, the definition of exceptional is incomparably phenomenal or unpresented. Considering this, I can’t say that America is exceptional. As one of the critique’s from the packet said American Exceptionalism only stated the positive points of America. It dared not to touch the sensitive dark areas of slavery, the oppression of blacks, and the thousands of lives of Native Americans. The failure to admit this major flaw when speaking of the wonderful American image makes it seem as though it hadn’t mattered or was that big of a dilemma. People can say that discrimination against African Americans is better now due to the equality laws made desegregation, and the fact that we have a black president, but that does not stop people from being racist or discrimatory. People still have control over their personal actions and the law can not stop that.
    Not only is there discrimination against African Americans, but other minorities especially Muslims. Ever since the tragic day of 9/11, Muslims have been a prime target to judgment. Just because a group Muslims were terrorists, it does not mean the Muslim kid who’s walking down Sunset Boulevard is a terrorist. The incident of 9/11 should not give people the right to classify a whole race under than description. The absurdity of this unacceptable concept was shown when 14 yr old Ahmed Mohamed from Irving, Texas was arrested for constructing a suitcase clock which, the public considered a bomb. The student simply wanted to impress his engineering teacher. Also, when the freshman’s arrest occurred, over two men had to escort him. A freshman in high school who looked to be scrawny needed not just one, but over two officers. This leads me to another flaw that keeps America from being exceptional: police brutality. We desire officials to protect us and ensure safety in our country, but how is that possible if they are the ones we fear. In this trend of police hostility, officials are taking desperate measures at non-desperate times. Officers tend to be throwing things out of proportion and causing harm to people, particularly minorities. For instance, 14 year old Gyasi Hughes who was body slammed and choked by police or, 18 year old Michael Brown who was killed. We must control these issues in America before people act up and take protesting to riots. Thankfully, that has not happened yet and protest associations like Black Live smatter have used the nonviolent approach. How can Americans claim that America is exceptional when discrimation and prejudice is still and a dilemma in our country today? America must be set straight on the inside before it can show out to the world and be role model to look up to.
13. Alexis Arbaugh January 8, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    7. I believe that the most important American criticism is the treatment of the Native Americans and black people. Some Americans try to glance over Americas past treatment of American Indians and black people but something as big as this cannot be glanced over. We all know how the early settlers pushed the Native Americans from their land, either killing or enslaving, to take the land for ourselves. And everyone knows about slavery and how horribly black people were treated even today. There is racism everywhere in America for these two groups. On the other hand the least valid criticism is religiosity. Yes it makes sense that this is a criticism of America but it really shouldn’t be. Does it really matter what people believed in a long time ago, would it really have changed the America we have today y that much? It also doesn’t make sense because American exceptionalism is about because different, that what make America so unique because it has so many kinds of religions.
    9. Yes, I think that America is still exceptional. The word exceptional can mean many different things to many different people. But to me exceptional means that it’s pretty good but there are also flaws in the system. I think that America is great place to live and a great place to grow up in. America is so diverse, meaning that there are so many different cultures that can be found practically anywhere here. We came to America a long time ago with nothing and look at where we are now. It’s amazing that we have done all of this in just 500 or so years. America is even more advanced then someone counties that were founded way before America. America isn’t perfect by a long shot because we still have our adults but a country wouldn’t be a country if something didn’t go wrong and there wasn’t any drama.
    1. The frontier has greatly shaped America in its early years. When America was first discovered there was practically nothing here besides the Indians. Who would want to go to a whole new country and start from scratch? Apparently the English did because they stuck through it, all that America had to throw at them. The New England area had thin rocky soil and there was only trees in the south so if they wanted to farm then all the trees would have to come out first. After America was settled for a couple hundred years people started moving west were they could by land and start to make a living. Now there was no competition for land because there was so much land up for grabs. The frontier and all it had to offer is one of the main reasons why America is the way it is today. Back then those peoples had to work so hard just to put food on the table for their family. I think some of that strength and motivation has carried over to the 21st century.
    8. I agree with Murray when he says that today’s elite “never has personal exposure to life in mainstream America. Most people in America are working class families, mainstream America, because that what they have to do to keep their family afloat. But there are also the very rich group in America, like reality TV stars. For example the Kardashians, all of the children grew up living a privileged life. Bu there are problems that come with living this lifestyle. All the kids were kind of sheltered from the real problems and hardships that the working class of America has to deal with. They don’t have to deal with all of the other stuff for example when the family has to go on a budget because they can’t afford things. The Kardashians have never had to do that people they are rich and don’t know anything about that kind of life. Don’t get me wrong there is absolutely nothing wrong with growing up rich and famous, it’s just the lifestyle that they were brought up in.
14. Katie Westerlund January 9, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    3. I believe we have lost the aspect of an egalitarian society as part of our American Exceptionalism today. I feel as though today the upper class people look down upon the poor and that the gap between rich and poor is an extreme gap. Today you can tell by the clothes and you can tell by the way someone speaks, at least to me. I can tell the difference between designer and department and most people can tell the difference between educated and uneducated. It is sad to think that our judgments really are how we view others but it is the truth. Murray made American seem almost classless while still having classes (if that makes sense). I am sure American could’ve been like that, but I don’t think we could go back to being that. Sometimes the wealthy, upper class, take a little too much pride in themselves, I think that is what holds us back from being and Egalitarian society.

    4. There have been a few important Great Awakenings in America’s history. Each one had helped lay the foundation for a movement that greatly changed out country. The first Great Awakening happened around 1750; this started the feelings that led to the Revolution. The second Great Awakening from1800-1840 brought supports for abolitionism and elementary schools. The third Great Awakening that is talked about in this article was started around 1860s and lasted until the early 1900s. This GA laid the foundation for the emancipation of women, reforms of the new deal, and the civil rights movement. The Great Awakenings have greatly affected America; they have helped us to become the strong and equal country we are today.

    7. The area of criticism the American Exceptionalism that is most valid to me is industriousness. I can agree that Americans are obsessed with money and that we “live to work”. Many people become work-a-holics and are always trying to get money. We also all grow up thinking about our future needs and jobs. How will we support of families? Money. Job. I often here my self saying things like, ‘man I better be rich when I’m older,’ to my friends and they often agree. I think the area that is not valid is religiosity. I don’t think people’s religion makes them smarter or less smart than others. In the article Murray claims that Europe is more advanced then us because of their lack of religious activities in their country. I find this a. hard to believe and b. not true. You can’t judge a country by the amount of faith it has in religions. Also, I think the amount of religious faith there is in this country is a good thing. It brings more people to America and it brings the country together.

    9. I think America is still exceptional. I don’t think I can define exceptional, just that I think we have come a long way as a country since our birth as a free nation. We have worked hard to end slavery and then segregation. We have fought for our rights and the rights of other nations. In some way we are the strongest nation in the world, in others (poverty, etc.) we are not and as long as we admit to those things then we can change them. Yes, America has problems and has had problems in the past, but we are almost always able to overcome these problems and fix others while doing so. In conclusion, I do believe America is exceptional.
15. Connor Bradbury January 9, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    1.
    The frontier has shaped America by making one of the toughest, hardworking people in the world at the time. Immigrants that first braved the hazards of crossing the North Atlantic, just to either try to farm the thin, rocky New England soil or chop down a forest and root out the stumps in the South before they could start farming their own field, were described as courageous, honest, hardworking, and close-knit. These settlers only had what their own family grew, gathered, shot, bred, spun, wove, salted, churned, milled, distilled, quarried, hewed, and constructed, as described by Charles Murray. The new frontier west of the Appalachians was one of fertile soil that required “only a plow and a strong horse to convert into prosperous farms.” It also brought a relief to the surge of immigration, as the settlers could now spread out and not have to worry about being crammed in the countryside. The new frontier “Americanized” people, and made them a mixed nationality that came to be known as American. The needs of pioneers for manufactured goods from the East helped the growth of infrastructure like roads, canals, and railways, fusing the country together. It also promoted the individualism that came with being American. Traits of the frontier were described by Frederick Turner as coarse, strong, acute, inquisitive, practical, inventive, powerful, restless, energetic, and dominantly individualistic; all combining in a sense of unrestrained freedom. This resulting breed of man was one the Founding Fathers depended on to make the Constitution work, because they knew that for a government so foreign and new, only the newfound toughness and need for survival that made up the American character would be able to uphold and support it.

    2.
    I think the phrase “self-interest rightly understood” is a huge idea in American Exceptionalism. I think the overall meaning of the term is that Americans tend to join together to expand on their similar interests. They essentially group together, all with the same general goals and interests for the group (country), yet all with their own self-interests. By joining together and furthering the interests of the group, they also serve their own self-interests. Tocqueville really combined the right of association with the virtue to do what was right, and formed “self-interest rightly understood”, defining the character that all Americans had, even if they didn’t know it. People were essentially working for the good of all with their own interests also in mind. This phrase also became the basis of defending freedom in America. I think this helped shape American thinking by making many people become more benevolent and good-willed. I imagine a typical older American society as one were the people were close-knit, truly a family unit like most New England settlers. If anyone needed help, the whole town came together to the aid of the one person, and it was done without complaint or expectation of payment. Outside of ordinary life, in politics, I think this philosophy was a huge part. Many people with the same ideals for America grouped together in groups in order to promote the interests of the group, and also their self-interests. For example, federalists and republicans fit this philosophy well. People like Andrew Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson led their respective groups to help shape American government. Hamilton’s personal interests were to be a part of government, and start national debt and credit that would help the United States. His self-interests directly coincided with his group’s interests, making him that much more powerful. He became Secretary of the Treasury under Washington, a fellow federalist, and his actions also helped his country, while helping himself. Jefferson also obtained office for himself, and also presided over a land that benefited from his presidency, while he benefited himself. I think this philosophy most shaped American government, as men who shared the same interests as the masses helped bring this country to be what it is today, and helped improve the condition of our people while looking out for themselves and their own interests at the same time.

    7.
    I think the most valid area of criticism is the one of slavery and Indians. I think the horrendous treatment of African Americans and Indians is the biggest blemish on American Exceptionalism. Slaves had always lived in terrible conditions, and were treated like animals and chattel while slavery was legal. Even after slavery was outlawed, African Americans suffered horrible treatment and prejudice. It took much longer than it should have for African Americans to fully become part of American society, as this country was built on the backs of slaves. Indians were also seen as less than human since the first colonists found the Americas. The controversy of slavery and Indian conflicts is, I think, the biggest flaw in American history, and is the most valid argument against American exceptionalism. I think the least valid argument is the one of Industriousness. The argument is that Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power. I think this isn’t accurate because America is seen as the land of opportunity, and people came to the Americas to make a living and live a better life. People could come to America and work to make a living, and make their own money to provide for their family. To say that they are obsessed with money is not true; they are obsessed that making a living is easier and more widespread in America than in most other places. And when it came to power, how could you accuse Americans of being obsessed with power when they made a government to hinder the controlling being that was government? Americans invented their own form of government where the people ruled themselves through direct representation, and if that makes them power-greedy because there is no one ruler controlling everyone, then I think the accuser is a fool.

    9.
    I think, based off the elements of American exceptionalism, America is not as exceptional as it once was, and my definition of exceptional is one of a kind: unique and ground-breaking. When it comes to America’s setting, the oceans and borders do not protect us from invasion, and today we are concentrated on preventing terrorists and illegal immigrants (those in situations very similar to those who first settled America) from entering the country, when the term American came from a new race that was a blend of all the immigrants that first came to America. America’s ideology is no longer exceptional as well, as we now have two political parties, that the original Founders would not be able to identify with, compete with each other over who should have control over whatever body of government. As for the six American traits, even those aren’t exceptional. For industrialism, Americans work some of the longest hours in the world, and we have a lower amount of people in the work force than that of England. Americans no longer strive to have good jobs; in fact, most dread going to work every day. For egalitarianism, even though many people claim to belong to the middle or working class, the appearance of upper and lower classes are more apparent. There is a much larger gap between the rich and poor today that there was back then. Also, many people who became rich fifty years ago came from very modest backgrounds; like having farmers and factory workers as parents, and living in small towns or modest neighborhoods in big cities. These people had to work hard their whole lives to get to where they were, but today it is much more often that the rich grew up in pampered and rich environments, with parents who were already rich. For community life, studies have shown that neighborliness and civic engagement, along with social trust, have plummeted in America. In all classes, the amount of people who felt most other people could be trusted dropped an average of 20% each. For religiosity, the percentage of people who said religion was very important fell from 70% in 1965 to 52% in 1978, and weekly church attendance suffered a similar decrease in percentage. The tail end of the 20th century brought a wave of people who said they had no religion at all, increasing to 18% of the American people by 2010. Americans just didn’t place as much emphasis on religion in modern day as they did when America was still in its early years. The last element of American exceptionalism, politics, also proved to be unexceptional. Even though Charles Murray claims it is still exceptional given that there is no major political party with a working-class base, most countries around the world have adopted democracy as their form of government. Former monarchs are now just for show as people elect the best rulers of the masses all over the world, and the absence of a working class political party in America isn’t enough to make American politics exceptional; they are no longer a ground-breaking political ideal as most forms of government are now democratic.
16. Paige Stearn January 10, 2016 at 11:05 am

    1) The Frontier has shaped America in many ways. One way is because we had buffer from the rest of the world in a way and had peaceful neighbors. This allowed us to ignore the military and government problems of European countries. The frontier also helped lessen the tensions with new immigrants. There was plenty of room for everyone, no one needed to argue or fight over land. According to Frederick Jackson Turner, American Identity stemmed from having a frontier in the first place. The frontier helped people become individuals and have their own views, thoughts, outlooks, and personalities.

    5) Community life and voluntary associations peaked in the early parts of the twentieth century for a couple different reasons. To begin, during the early twentieth century, there was a great bond throughout America that was created by the frontier. This bond no longer exists in the twenty-first century. I agree that this also happens within the working class because long ago, people would help each other and do nice things for each other, but now everyone just wants to be above one another. Everyone wants the highest paying job and doe not care if they are stealing it from someone else. Also, during the twentieth century, people would voluntarily do nice and generous things, but now people barely do anything. Some people do not even give money to the homeless on the street that are struggling to eat their next meal. America used to be united as one great country where everyone should be treated nicely “all men are created equal.” Everyone split off and went their own direction after the twentieth century ended.

    8) I do agree with Murray when he says that today’s elite have “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America.” I agree with his statement because in all seriousness, the “elite” or wealthy are privileged in America. They would never understand the struggle that many Americans go through. The “elite” also tend to live in different areas then the poor. They have more money to buy better housing, so why not? But, they would never understand the daily struggle people go through to do simple things such as obtain food for their family or pay their electricity bill because they are never exposed to it. The wealthy have most likely never had to deal with struggles of this kind, so in no way would understand what it is like.

    9) I agree with Murray on the fact that America is no longer exceptional. This is for many reasons. One, the frontier no longer protects Americans. It used to be that the frontier guarded America from military issues and government issues worldwide, but now the frontier fails to do so. America is constantly involved in other countries’ problems. Second, the frontier was said to unite America, but terrorists and other Americans are constantly trying to hurt each other. That strong bond Americans had long ago has now vanquished. Third, people are not completely encouraged to be individuals anymore. For example, there are hate crimes across America against people who are “different,” such as gays, trans-genders, and African Americans.
17. Alanna Rosenthal January 10, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    1. The frontier shaped America in many ways. For one, It was very versatile, over in the west of America there is fertile soil and vast amounts of land. Near the New England area America had a large fishing and lumber industry. Lastly, down south it was almost always warm and dry, great for growing cotton and tobacco. The frontier of America was also surrounded by oceans, making it a long journey for those who wanted to fight against America. Event though not all of America’s borders’ were surrounded by water, their neighbors have been rather peaceful throughout America’s time being a country.
    3. I believe that we still do have an egalitarian society. Murray writes about how upper classes and lower classes were not treated any differently in the word of the law. the upper and lower classes were almost always intertwined in society one way or another. Murray continues to talk about how the lower classes always had the possibility to become an elitist. This idea connects to aspect we have today, that anyone can live the “American dream” and that American culture is not only going to be defined by the people with old money. Even though people had respect for others who had money, people had even more respect for the self made man who did it all on his own. Even though America had social classes, it still was an egalitarian society
    7.Out of the six areas of criticism, I find that Slavery and Indians is the most valid. In my opinion, the start of this country was built on the forced labor of others. Most of the population doesn’t realize how much disrespect we had for certain cultures, especially Native Americans and Africans. Yes, in the present day we have made large strides towards equality, but we still should be able to bring up our past and why equality was even a problem in the first place.
    9. I feel that America is exceptional. In any form of government there will be bumps in the road, but as our country grew to what it is today, the American people begin to have more and more privilege then any other country in the world. The American dream can now be reached by any race, culture, or religion. America is one of the world’s largest power and continues to be. No other country had started out in such an untraditional manner and with such free ways of thinking. America continues to be exceptional.
18. Courtney D January 10, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    5. I think that when Murray says that community life has been forgotten because primarily of the lack of trust. According to surveys Murray cites, the upper-middle, middle class, and working class trust in the people in their community drops around 20% from the 1970s to the 2006-2010 polls. I think that trust is decreasing because of the increase of bad events in the last few decades. Instead of these events bringing a sense of unity after overcoming them—as it occurred in the past—people become les trustworthy of one another and paranoia and suspicion arise. In the 1970s, people were dealing with the closing years of the Vietnam War, which was largely opposed among the people of the United States. After that, there have been a series of events that have either split the country or have struck fear into the minds of U.S. citizens. For example, there was much opposition against the war in Iraq among the people and the terrorist attacks of 9-11 have made people increase security at airports and other large events. All of this creates tension between people and that might be the cause of the distrust between people in communities.
    7. In my opinion, the most valid criticism of American Exceptionalism is the “Slavery and Indians” section. It is not exactly “exceptional” to enslave another race and to totally uproot the Native Americans. The African Americans and Native Americans were oppressed for far too long and didn’t deserve such treatment. The least valid criticism, in my opinion, is “religiosity”. The two preceding criticisms in the essay are about how Americans 1) are too obsessed with money, materialistic possessions and power and 2) are unconcerned about economic inequality and have “moral backwardness”. Directly following these two criticisms, the essay talks about how elite people in Europe think that they are more advanced than the United States with regard to giving up the “superstition” of religion a long time ago. The problem with this is that if we are too obsessed with money, power and possessions as well as have a backwards moral compass—which I am NOT saying isn’t at least partially true—then wouldn’t we need some form of guidance in our morals? If U.S. citizens are others say we are and we intend to fix that issue, then why do people criticize the very thing that tells people it is not good to be obsessed with materialistic possessions as well as money and that we should care about the inequality that certainly does exist in our country? The first two arguments contradict the third completely, in my opinion.
    8. I mostly agree that today’s elite have never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America. I think that people who are wealthier grow up in sheltered communities. Wealthy people generally live and go to school with people that are “elite” as well. I say I mostly agree with Murray’s statement because there are of course the people in today’s elite that are the exception. There are some incredibly successful people out there that are the CEO of their multi-million dollar association that started out their company in their garage. There are people who have worked from the bottom up and that credit cannot be taken from those people because they are “elite”.
    9. I do think America is still exceptional. When I say exceptional, I mean that the United States is distinct. America is exceptional because there is a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism throughout this country. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else right now especially because not every country is in a good position right now with the events in Europe causing turmoil and fear to arise.
19. Heather Flannery January 10, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    1. The frontier has shaped America because it provided a safe sanction for immigrants to settle and interact with the already present American citizens without the competition for one to become successful. The frontier was vast enough that enough land was available for Americans and immigrants. Without the frontier, the United States would not be as diverse as it currently is today. The frontier also caused the desire for more manufactured goods. This resulted in having to determine a way to connect the nation together. The result ended up being roads, canals, and railways being put into place.
    3. I believe that the United States still is practicing an egalitarian society as defined by Murray because of the way each class was able to get along. Murray shares a valid point in how no matter ones social status one does not have to refer to someone of a higher status in a particular way or has to treat them differently. An egalitarian society refers to equality for all, but that equality can be interpreted in the way that people are treated. Many people may refer to those that are older than them with a name such as sir, but many see saying this as a sign of respect rather than saying that because of their current social status.
    7. Personally, I believe that the most valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism includes the area of slavery along with the treatment of Indians. These groups of people were treated horribly and the behavior of the American citizens will never be excusable or forgotten. The slaves were treated horribly and were forced to work for those that were white male land owners. Indians were pushed off of their lands by the white Americans for the white American benefit. I believe that the least valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism is the idea of industriousness. Murray claims that Americans are simply obsessed with possessions, money, and power compared to how Europeans are not. I think that this is more opinion based because I do not completely agree with this claim. Statistics may show that this is true, but I did not feel that this idea convinced me of changing my viewpoint based on Murray’s perspective.
    9. Personally, I believe that America is exceptional in the way different people are treated. In the United States one is able to live the lifestyle they would like to live. People are able to worship who they choose to worship along with having a say in terms of the government. Besides national affairs, the United States also attempts to help improve international affairs. If another nation needs help, the people unite showing the exceptional powers the nation obtains. As Murray claims, the United States is very different from other countries which helps keep the nation unique in many different ways continuing the exceptional nation, America.
20. Victoria Lurz January 10, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    One of the areas of criticism in American Exceptionalism in which I agree with the author, Charles Murray, is the section discussing America’s past mistreatment of African Americans and of the Indians. Although Murray does say some things I disagree with, I cannot argue the mistreatment of the slaves and of the indians. Throughout American history, American involvement in slavery is constantly pushed aside because of how horrible it makes our nation look. Now matter what one may think, slavery has forever and always been wrong and should never have been a thing of the past. Along with the mistreatment of African Americans, was the mistreatment of indians. So much of America’s past revolves around us encroaching on Indian land that we had no right to take over. Today children are taught not to take things that aren’t their’s so why didn’t that apply to Americans in the past? Not only did we encroach on native americans land, we completely exterminated several of their tribes. Regardless of what one may think, no rationalization or excuse can ever be made for these vicious American actions and this will forever be a frowned upon place in U.S. history. An invalid criticism Charles Murray makes of american exceptionalism is egalitarianism. I believe that today more than ever, there is a huge division between those of different social classes. Even though those of different classes do not refer to those of greater social standing as “your majesty”, they might as well. People today throw their wealth around as a way to manipulate other people and prove their power over others. Saying this, I use Donald Trump as evidence for my previous allegations. Donald Trump constantly throws his wealth around and shoves it in other people’s faces to prove some sort of power over others. Wealth should not be a way in which one can receive power, but in todays society it seems to be a major factor in selected power.

    8. I disagree with Murray’s contention today’s elite “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America”. I disagree with this statement because it does not pertain to all of the elite. Several people in society grew up with nothing, but with determination they have achieved extreme and ultimate success. To support my argument I present Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is one of the wealthiest and most well known women in America, but she was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Oprah endured several hardships, such as growing up in poverty in getting herself through college only by receiving scholarships she worked diligently for. Oprah basically is the definition of elite and she surely dealt with life in mainstream America.

    2. In my own interpretation, “self-interest rightly understood” means people putting others and the land that they love before themselves. It means that because Americans had such a strong sense of self, they were willing and able to sacrifice certain things and put others to a higher priority. This has greatly impacted America because it has been a structure to creating great and powerful leaders. Our nations strongest leaders, such as George Washington, took on tasks that required them to make themselves their second priority. War is a perfect example of this. George Washington and several other famous leaders put their lives on the line for the love of their country and for their country and it’s people’s future benefit.

    9. I believe that America remains exceptional. By exceptional I mean that we are a strong, powerful nation that continues to make progressive strides. I think we’re exceptional because of the freedoms we allow our citizens to have. Over time we’ve seen progression in voters rights. Originally only wealthy white males were able to vote and now those of all genders and races are given the right to vote as long as they are a U.S. citizen and over the age of 18. Another example of progress our nation has made is the acceptance and approval of gay marriage. This is a newly made change in America and it is certainly one with great impact. America will never be perfect and even though we have tons of problems and make many errors, our nation is exceptional because we continuously make strides to enhance the freedom of our people.
21. Michael Homer January 10, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Blog 81-
    1. The frontier has shaped America in an incredible way, it not only increased the size of America it also gave people a happier life with their natural rights and made the country more unified. The increase of land gave the American citizens more of an opportunity to go to a new place and to start a new life, but it also gave the people a more diverse lifestyle and sold land to all people no matter if they were or weren’t Americans. The people that went there could live a happy free life which helped the shaping of a new unified America. All sorts of transportation were made to keep the people connected and united.
    4. The great awakenings have affected American society because it has altered the thoughts and beliefs of many people. New lights had risen to preach that all Americans can contain a deeper and more individual connection with god. The first great awakening, which was the cause of the Revolution, had a quick growth of humanistic thoughts. Before this everyone believed in the same things, but after they were able to make decisions on their own making the people and country more united. The next great awakening had new radical thoughts that helped create a large divide in the nation. Also the third great awakening helped give aid to the women and African Americans giving them more rights in the 20th century.
    7. I fell like the most valid of the six areas of criticism is slavery and Indians. I believe that what we did a long time ago to the African Americans and Native Americans was despicable and uncalled for. Enslaving innocent people and taking their land will always we be viewed as a negative period in the history of the United States of America. The least valid area is religion simply because it has a feeble case.
    9. Yes I believe that America is still exceptional, by using the word exceptional I don’t have just one meaning. America is exceptional for many reasons because we are the most powerful nation in the world in many ways. One way we are powerful is military, America has a huge military that is one hundred percent volunteer. This proves that American citizens love their country and are willing to put their life on the line for it. Another way we are powerful is culturally, America has a very diverse population with sixty two percent white, thirteen percent African American, seventeen percent Hispanic, and five percent Asian. America also has a very powerful and unique government. The American government is run by the people for the people. Finally, America has a very powerful seventy percent of citizens employed.
22. Ari Mattler January 10, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    2. In my opinion, the phrase “self-interest rightly understood” means that being self centered and only caring for yourself can be something understood. In America, there is a variety of people you will see. And in this amazing a free country, people understood strange things a person would do because to the person doing the action it might be completely normal and justified. If you want to only care for yourself and make a profit for yourself then you are allowed to do so. That is what’s great about American thinking. This is also how this phrase has shaped American thinking.

    4. The great awakenings have dramatically changed society in America. These awakenings have over time changed Americans philosophies and beliefs. People have found new worship and new things to worship with the awakenings. When the first great awakening was going around America, many figures rose who either were for or opposed the new reformations, like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield. American thinking had stopped being from out of a book and real thought started to be put into everyday tasks instead of doing things how they were told to do them. People started to live their lives how they wanted to. The awakenings united the nation and its strong presence is still felt today.

    7. The most valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism would be Slavery and treatment of Native Americans. First off, the concept of slavery is cruel. Taking someone almost as a hostage and having them work for you without pay even is awful. The human beings used for slavery must go through horrible mistreatment and tough labor. The work and suffering that African slaves endured not just being slaves but mentally is grueling. For example, the way Africans were brought over to America, being stacked up together like a ups truck delivering packages, is awful and uncomfortable. As for the treatment of the Natives, we messed up. They were entitled to their life and land as well as freedom and settlers took at least one of those traits away from Natives if not all. Both these topics deserve to be criticized 100% and are valid to be so. The least valid areas of criticism of American Exceptionalism is Industriousness. When Murray claims ”Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power. Europeans take time to smell the roses,” he is invalid. This is a very general claim and while it may apply to some Americans, not all of their main purpose in life is money.

    9. I think America is still exceptional. People still believe in the freedom America was founded upon. Today as we speak, civilians caught in the crossfires of the Syrian Civil War flee to other countries as refugees. Most would say they want to come to America and money do try to get here. Many will argue against my opinion but America is a land of equality and opportunity. If you walk into a school classroom you will see people from different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds, but they all have a common trait, they are all American.
23. Camille Rochaix January 10, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    1.) The frontier has shaped America by giving America advantages of being secluded, which also came with a price. From the beginning, the Colonies were secluded from Europe, during salutary neglect, the colonies to create a unique culture that had differed from Britain, from its judicial system, to how they practiced religions. Since America was new land, full of opportunities, the concept of the American dream was also acquired, which promoted the very idea of every immigrant who traveled to the colonies or the United States, opportunities for work, comfortable living, and a better life for the generations to come. Immigration had not been a big deal at the time, since the frontier had been so large, people could just move westward. With the basis of a society made of immigrants, America became a place where “the immigrants were Americanized, liberated, and fused into a mixed race, English in neither nationality nor characteristics.” Being a country made out of diversity, allowed the immigrants to be more open and neighborly, which was a trait that the founding fathers used to base the American Constitution.
    6.) Murray explains that a reason America doesn’t have a strong “working-class party” is because of the fact that Americans see themselves all part of the working class. By being part of the working class, Americans all have the same ideals in mind when it comes to jobs and economics, though this may have been the case in the past, its changed quite a bit today. Since nowadays the income gap has started to increase between the rich and the poor. Wherever Murray was looking at that said that many people of the upper class see themselves as the middle class, is not entirely true, since there are many who see they to be part of the upper class, the elite, and publicize it. Maybe Murray was thinking about how the term middle class can be interpreted in many ways. Just like society today can be divided into three classes, upper class, middle class and lower class, the middle class is often divided into three similar classes. The upper middle class is the people who in the article called himself or herself middle class even though they were actually part of the upper class. The people, who refer to this term, tend to be individuals who need to work hard or are privileged to be at the level of living they live at that moment. Many refer to themselves as upper middle class, instead of part of the upper class because it sounds less snobbish, and people like people who are modest. The people in the article who referred to himself or herself as middle class even though they should have been called lower class, have every reason to call themselves that. Nowadays, the lower class is seen, as below the poverty line, even though in reality it isn’t. Some people are just embarrassed to be referred or called that term, even though being part of the lower class isn’t entirely bad.
    7.) Of the six areas of American Exceptionalism that are valid are egalitarianism, neighborliness, and religiosity. American’s used to see themselves as all equal, and all part of the working class, now some believe as themselves to be above the other, for example people have issues against race, sexuality, or even nationality. Sometimes these factors can change how you’re seen in society, or in the work force. One part of American Exceptionalism criticism that I could agree on is this, because even though we act like we stand together, many voices aren’t heard, and though we say we are the people who stand up for this, I haven’t seen much of that happening. Neighborliness has changed throughout the United States, though this ideal is apparent in many areas, especially rural areas, neighborliness isn’t found everywhere. Religiosity before would be something that I would criticize American Exceptionalism with because of the fact that even though we flaunted the idea that we accept and allow the freedom to practice whatever religion we choose to believe in, this has not always been the case. Nowadays, this problem has lessened though a more modern example that still needs to be addressed would be the Muslims.
    9.) I find America as exceptionalism as exceptional as any other super power on planet earth. If I created a list of pros and cons, America would be the same as many other countries. Though, I find some of the problems we face today, and we have faced before a lot to swallow, I still find that America is an incredible country to live in. Being a more developed country, citizens or even immigrants (like me) get to live with rights that many other countries to do not get to have, and I am incredibly grateful. In are own way, America is exceptional, though i still think there are many things we can change to make it even more exceptional.
24. Lizzie Kompus January 10, 2016 at 9:41 pm

    1. The frontier shaped America in many ways. According to Murray, it gave America character. It shows how much Americans have accomplished in means of success and how much passion they must have had to fulfill their dreams. Before the first immigrants came to American, majority of the land was rocky, full off trees and needed a lot of work to be done before they could live in a well running town. To them it was the fresh start that they needed and their determination to work with the land so they could manage it for farm work and housing took a lot of effort. Not only was it their determination that the frontier shaped America, but also the fact that that they expanded land by going past the Appalachian Mountains and also west of the Mississippi and through the Louisiana Purchase. Expansion also lowered the tension for immigrants because they didn’t need to compete for land in the country side. Like historian Frederick Jackson Turner said, American identity evolved because the existence of the frontier.
    4. The great awakenings had a large effect on America in many ways. The first grate awakening lead to the start of the American Revolution. The second great awakening supported for universal elementary education, and abolitionism which is huge. The third great awakening began towards the late eighteen hundreds and it laid the basis for the emancipation of women, reforms of the New Deal and later on the civil rights movement. During these times, religious beliefs strengthened and for the community many more were volunteering which was the heart of American exceptionalism in the nineteenth century. However an unparalleled aspect of the great awakening was the neighborliness. This mostly occurred in rural or small towns where people weren’t doing any small or great favors for their neighbors.
    7.Out of the six areas of criticism of American Exceptionalism I think the most valid is slavery and Indians. Nobody should argue that slavery and our treatment to both blacks and Native Americans during that time period was fair. Both of these acts killed so many people and took away their basic rights. What we did was completely hypocritical when we said we were a nation of freedom and acceptance when we belittled people and treated them with no respect. After it was over, nobody really wanted to acknowledge the fact of what happened and just set it aside. The least valid to me was religion. “Intelligent people gave up superstitions of religion a long time ago”. In this point he was referencing America and I disagree with his statement. We are known for religious freedom and have been for a very long time. Just because our nation does not have one set religion like many European countries did during that time period, I don’t think it’s fair to say we gave up on religion and group everyone with different beliefs into one category. Many of the founding fathers had some sort of religious belief and I would say even now Americas still religious.
    9. I believe that America is still exceptional. One of Murray’s of descriptions of exceptional says America has a special mission in the world and used in support of whatever measures that mission is taken to imply. I think America still shows this point. Its special mission is freedom and the basic rights. It gives us citizens the freedom to make something out of ourselves and gives us opportunities for success. Yes, America still has a lot of room to improve but I don’t think it’s fair to say that we aren’t exceptional. We have come a long way from where we started and learned how to develop a, for the most part, well working country which I think is very important.
25. Kristen Harvey January 10, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    . I think that the statement “self-interest rightly understood” means that what you do for yourself will be good for everyone. This has shaped how many Americans think because in a capitalist society this creates many people out to better themselves and help drive decisions for the nation that will be best for them. This idea is very generalized as it puts a blanket on all Americans, but in this free country with many different political and social opinions not everyone is going to think in this manner, making this idea only shown in part of the population.
    7. The six areas of criticism that Murray used to describe American Exceptionalism are slavery and Indians, ideology, industriousness, egalitarianism, religiosity, and community life. I believe the most accurate criticism of American Exceptionalism, was slavery and Indians, Americans treated both of these groups of people horribly. Then even after slaves were freed African Americans were treated poorly, and even today are not seen as equals to many prejudiced white Americans. Native Americans were slaughtered and pushed off their native land. Another valid criticism of America is its industriousness, even though there is nothing wrong with working hard, Americans tend to take it to an extreme working themselves to the grave. Not taking time to live life to the fullest. While today people in other nationalities tend to work harder than Americans to improve their lives as well as the lives of their kids, like Chinese and Japanese people. I think that there was a good argument for the egalitarianism situation in this country, many Americans put a lot of focus on materialistic goods and people tend to spend over their income to wear designer clothes and buy fancy houses and cars, putting them in debt, just so they could keep up with the Joneses. I believe his weakest argument was on the negatives of American community life, I believe that Americans work hard to help others in tough situations, especially their friends, family and neighbors. Also religion in my opinion does not make a nation weak, in my opinion. I also do not agree with his criticism of Americas ideology, for I think that individualism and the ideas of the founding fathers are part of what makes America great.
    8. I agree with Murray that today American’s believe the rich “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America.” People who grow up rich are sheltered from the real world, going to expensive schools, and living in fancy neighborhoods, never really knowing what how the rest of the world lives. I feel that people with money try to distance themselves and their children from the problems that are occurring around the world, because they either feel that they are above everyone else, or they would feel responsible to fix the world’s problems, which would cost them a lot of money.
    9. I believe that America is still exceptional; people are proud to be American. Strong nationalism is a trait that is lacking in many countries around the world. America does have its problems, like every nation in the world. However, America is still a country that does great things and produces some of the best minds in the world with our top universities and our amazing forward thinking companies. Our government is exceptional, even though it has its issues, it was the first democracy to remain successful for this long without collapsing or a dictator taking over. America is also exceptional because it is one of the most diverse country in the world bringing different cultures and ideas to make this nation very unique.
26. Callie B January 11, 2016 at 12:06 am

    1. The frontier played a big role in shaping America as it attracted people whose characteristics formed the base of American identity the world came to know us by. When America was just beginning to be settled, the long voyage across the Atlantic to be faced with years of hard work with none of the comforts of their previous homes could only appeal to those who were courageous and committed. Later on in Americas history, after expanding west of the Mississippi, there was little need for competition as the plains were so rich suitable for farming which attracted many new immigrants looking for a new start. The vast lands gave plenty of room for a growing population.
    2. “Self-interest rightly understood” is a theory based upon the nature of human beings and the choices we make. I find it to be the balance between good or bad intentions, as if I were to be greedy and make selfish choices no one truly benefits. And if I were to give everything I had to society, I wouldn’t be helping myself. By making decisions for pure benefits for yourself, your output to society will be greater in the long run. This has shaped American thinking by justifying our freedom, as this understanding of self-interest started as just an idea which people could relate to.
    7. I find the most valid criticism of American Exceptionalism to be Slavery and Indians. This section brings up how most accounts of American exceptionalism have little to no regard to the centuries we spent killing of Natives to the country we occupy today. Slavery is something that needs to be brought to light more often as well, for they are a huge part of what built America up. Farming was essential for American Exceptionalism, but of course no one wants to mention how farms would have been nearly impossible to maintain and grow into the industry it had become if it were not for the hard working slaves. Egalitarianism is the least valid criticism, as the claims it makes are not clearly supported and seem more of opinions.
    9. I think exceptional would be too broad of a term to be used to describe America today. All things considered America I would say America is a great country; we have access and opportunities which we take for granted that people around the world from poor countries dream of having. America is also a great because I do not have to live in fear of waking up to war in my backyard as is happening to countries with great conflict among it’s people. But I would not say America is exceptional. There is a huge disregard for minorities in our country that needs to be solved along with other problems regarding race and gender that don’t seem to be mentioned as much as they need to be.
27. Justin Sherman January 11, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    1. The frontier played a big role in shaping America. A big way in which it helped shape America was by lessening the tensions between the countries citizens and the new immigrants coming in. It was because of the frontier that there was now enough land for the citizens as well as the immigrants to have a good amount of land and be happy with their land. Roads, canals, and railroads also came from the frontier. Getting this much land was great, but we did not have a way of transportation through it. We decided to build these roads, canals and railroads going through the frontier making life easier for everyone. As one can now conclude, the frontier played a huge role in the shaping of America.

    2. I interpret “self-interest righty understood” as doing something for others. I feel this is talking about taking some time out of your day in order to help others instead of just thinking about what would help you in the moment or in the long run. “Self-interest rightly understood” shaped America by making it a free land. The freedom that is given in America is meant for the entire nation instead of just for the elite. It is clear that “self- interest rightly understood” helped bring the people of America to freedom and show selflessness.

    9. I do feel that America is still exceptional today. We have our downs like debt, but there are way more good things about us than there are bad. We have way more privileges as citizens than a lot of other countries do today. For example, freedom of speech. Being allowed to express your opinion wherever and whenever you want no matter who you are or what race you are a part of is in my opinion one of the greatest things about America compared to other countries. Also, our government is different than a lot of other countries in that we are a republic. Our government is run by the people and for the people and with three branches of government that make it so no one is in charge of everything and there are more opinions in big decisions. It is because of all of these great things about America that leads me to saying that it is still exceptional today.

    7. In my opinion the most valid areas of criticism is Slavery and Indians. What we did to the to the African Americans was absolutely cruel. We put these people through things that no person should ever have to go through in their life time. I do however see that we, as a country, have made many big steps in working together to make issues such as slavery be non-existent and try to get forgiveness for the way that the people behind us have treated the African Americans. Ever since we made our way over to America we had been doing wrong. The moment that we kicked the Indians out of their land or tried to fight them for it, instead of compromising with them we were in the wrong. There is clearly room to criticize the way we handled the Indians as well as how we treated the African Americans. Some of the other areas such as Industriousness and Religiosity I see as the least valid. I feel that the arguments made for these areas were much weaker and did not convince me that enough to use this argument in criticizing American Exeptionalism.
28. Max C January 11, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    • 1. The frontier can be seen as an extension of American Isolationism. Throughout our history, America has been relatively difficult to access for the European powers, and as such we have a history of self-reliance. One only has to look to the salutary neglect period to see where this independent strategy began. I believe that the frontier life is an extension of this isolationism, as they are often out of the control of the more developed areas much like America itself was often out of the control of the more developed European powers. The frontier provided a way to refine the American values of self-reliance and willingness to make a life for oneself. America was founded by those who left the “comfort zone” of Europe for the chance to improve their life. Nearly the exact same thing happened with the frontier settlers leaving the more developed areas for a better life. Thus, the frontier shaped America by providing another “fresh start”, spurring development and expansion westward while ingraining the values that drove settlers to go west.
    • 4. The Great Awakenings changed society by changing the way people thought. However, it did so through a way that nearly everyone had in common – religion. The Great Awakenings united people from all states, and gave them something that they had in common, which was new for the time period. Before these, many people would never see someone from outside of their state; much less agree on an issue with them. However, religion was a common thread throughout just about every state.
    • 7. In my opinion, the most valid area of criticism for American Exceptionalism is the subject of slavery and the Native Americans. Looking back, these practices were blatant hypocrisy against the Constitution and appalling human rights violations. They are and should remain a blot on our history, a reminder of what not to do. While it was a different time, with different opinions, it is by no means acceptable to romanticize today. On the other hand, I disagree with Murray’s assertion of American focus on materialism; that “Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power.” This statement is extremely opinionated; and has no facts behind it. Which Americans is Murray referring to? All of them? If that is the case, then he is certainly wrong, and this statement is the definition of a stereotype. America was and is known for its diversity, and such a sweeping generalization is clearly false.
    • 9. I believe that America is still exceptional today due in large part to the precedent set in the election of 1800, or the Revolution of 1800 as it is sometimes known. The election is important because it shows a peaceful transfer of power from one opposing party to another, something that does not or cannot occur in many other countries. While we may be flawed in other ways, our government is thoroughly democratic, and has time and time again reversed parties without bloodshed, allowing all viewpoints a chance to have their say.
29. Matthew B. January 11, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    1. I believe that the frontier has shaped America in a great amount of ways. The land that the frontier offered provided citizens a chance for a fresh start, and to try to escape from the possible wrongdoings that they had committed. The new immigrants were able to go straight to the frontier, instead of competing with the already settled citizens of the United States, which most likely led to the diversion of possible conflicts. This new frontier also led to the creation of internal improvements, such as roads, canals, and even later railways. One last effect that the frontier had in shaping America was that it led to the creation of a new attitude and mindset for American citizens, creating a very competitive and inventive group of people.

    4. The Great Awakenings have affected our nation in a great amount of ways. The first great awakening, which took up place in the first half of the 18th century, proved to be essential in leading to the American Revolution. Then, from the early to mid 1800’s, the second great awakening swept across the country, bringing with it the temperance movement, a fight for better quality education, and abolitionism. All of these things helped to shape where our society is at today. Then, the third great awakening, which took place between 1870 and the early 1900’s, helped set a path women’s rights, new deal reforms, and the extremely important civil rights movement.

    7. Out of all of the critical views of American Exceptionalism, I believe that a few are very valid, and that a few may not be as valid. One of the most valid criticisms in my opinion deals with slavery and the Indians. Whites in America seem to ignore the fact that they treated and tortured African Americans so poorly, and spent centuries pushing Native American’s off of their land. Another legitimate criticism is the industriousness of our nation. It seems as if everyone is driven by the power of money, and will often cross lines that shouldn’t be crossed to achieve it. One of the least valid criticisms made in my opinion is that of community life. I do not see anything wrong with the togetherness of today’s neighborhood, and think that is a good system that relies off the simple ethics such as trust and generosity.

    9. In my opinion, America is definitely still exceptional, just in a few different ways. I realize that people could argue against America being exceptional with all of the riots and demonstrations that have occurred within the past few years, but overall I believe that we still do live in a very exceptional nation. The opportunities in our nation seem to be unlimited for those who have the ability and passion to grasp them. Also, I believe that our nation is for the most part a very friendly nation, and that the freedoms we are presented with are undeniably exceptional. I do believe that America is still exceptional, but definitely still has a lot of work to be done.
30. Jackie Sullivan January 11, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    3. Murray defined an egalitarian society as social classes viewing each other based on knowledge and not what class they belong too. I find that we do not have an egalitarian society defined by Murray today because social classes judge other social classes based on their class. Some of the upper class Americans views themselves as superior to the middle and lower class Americans because they are wealthier than them. Some of the middle and lower class Americans may judge the upper class for thinking they are superior to them because they are wealthier. Ironically, just because you are rich does not mean you are intelligent.
    7. One of the six areas of criticism of American exceptionalism that is the most valid is slavery and Indians. I say this because no other area of criticism is as awful as this one was. Slavery and the genocide of many Indians tribes is disgusting. Like Murray said, the positive aspects of American exceptionalism were ignored turning the time of slavery and genocide of the Indians. One of the six areas of criticism of American exceptionalism that is the least valid is industriousness. I say this because Murray cannot speak for all Americans when he says, “Americans are obsessed with money, possessions, and power.” I believe that statement is not true because America is notorious for having land for people to make money off of. Americans are not “obsessed with money”, rather motivated by it.
    8. Although I wouldn’t say “never had”, I do agree with Murray’s contention that today’s elite “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America.” I would say this because most upper class Americans were born with money and don’t have to work as hard as other lower and middle class Americans to be upper class. Due to the fact that most upper class Americans have never been middle class is another reason why American society today is not Murray’s definition of an egalitarian society. Mainstream Americans don’t have to same opportunities as the upper class because of money and connections. Also an upper class Americans would probably have a hard time being a mainstream American for a day because they don’t understand how fortunate they are and seeing what its like to not have the fortunate things they have.
    9. Yes, I believe that America is still exceptional. My definition of exceptional is unique. There are so many opportunities among Americans and many people come to America to pursue the “American Dream.” Also America is very diverse. Immigrants coming from across the world who come to get the opportunity in America are one reason why America is so diverse. Lastly, I believe that America is exceptional because of how powerful it is. America is the most powerful nation in the world.
31. Jackson Mahle January 11, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    The frontier has shaped our country by help America go from just a mere 13 colonies to a world power, and on to probably the strongest country in the world. The frontier shaped this country by expanded our domain and help us by finding different ways of making money in different regions. Without the frontier America would have probably stayed as colonies and been taken over by one of the European powers. The frontier also made us look powerful to other country so that they would respect us and not attack. The great awakenings have affected America’s society because they opened people’s eye making them think for themselves instead of being told what to believe about religion and generally about life. In the great awaking it was old lights v.s. new lights, the old lights we seen as boring (dead dogs). The new lights wanted you to read the bible and interoperate it for yourself, they also wanted you to pray at home which at the time was unthinkable. The great awaking also made people question the King and the British Parliament, people thought that British Parliament was feeding them false information and thought that the Parliament was not letting the colonies think for themselves. This in my opinion was the first stages of the revolution. The most valid areas would be slavery and Indians, because it is the hardest to argue for positive and everyone knows it, but they would not talk about it. People back then just acted like everyone was equal and not that we were enslaving another race, we even counted slaves as 3/5 of a person in our constitution. To make explaining this simple enslaving this race was completely wrong and there is nothing positive about it other than we corrected our mistakes. On the other hand the least valid is religion because in my opinion that is what people believe a long time ago but now people believe something different. So religion has not had a big effect on today’s America. In my opinion America is still exceptional but not as much as it once was. At one point we were the new star country starting revolutions and examples for other minority countries, but now we just have “business” men trying to become the president and we are worried that it might be a women. America is still exceptional in the military world as well as in the pride area, but as a whole we are not as exceptional as we once were.
32. Victoria A. January 11, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    1. The frontier began to shape America by combining the positive aspects of both the new immigrants and already settled citizens. Those wishing to travel west needed the hard-working drive to push themselves forward daily in the expansion of a thriving settlement. Due to the Frontier there was no longer the struggle between anyone for land as they could just move their families west. The geography of America was a filter that only attracted the individuals willing to put forth the hard work in return for their independence, the geography was building the people of America into those who took the path that was right even if it meant a harder route. The frontier created a similar type of people following their work motivation but diverse with their independent needs and wants.
    2. To me the phrase “self-interest rightly understood” is the idea that by helping yourself individually you are over time benefitting the general public. By putting the country all under one common thought and rule then everyone can connect. As people in general would prefer to take the easy and selfish route but many times their human emotions get the best of them causing them to make what they believe to be the completely right and often generous decision. But “self-interest rightly understood” balances the two emotions creating a happy medium of doing a good deed and also benefitting your own life along the way. This idea has shaped America’s thinking by creating a more realistic way of thinking and allowing Americans to feel good about the deeds they commit, because they will also benefit themselves and not only others.
    7. The most valid criticism of American Exceptionalism in my opinion is Native American’s and slavery. Murray’s writings discuss how these brutal parts of American history are often disregarded but not will never be forgotten by those of the negative receiving end. The countless massacres American’s committed and disgusting actions taken to punish those who had no reason to be punished. Native Americans as their name states are the true first settlers of America, and there should be no argument for the pushing of the natives of their land. There is no explanation why the human race, American’s specifically in this passage, treats each other so harshly and with such little respect. The least valid criticism of American Exceptionalism is industriousness, as I find that just because American’s work hard does not mean that they don’t work to live as Murray says Europeans do. American’s don’t want to accept charity due to their pride in supporting themselves and their own. Murray’s opinion on American’s being workaholics has no facts to back up his claim, in fact maybe American’s work the way they do in order to live their lives to the fullest later after the hard job is done. But for most American’s a job is never done because they are constantly filled with the motivation to keep moving.
    9. I define exceptional as a union or group that has overcome obstacles and reaches beyond the goals that have been portrayed for them; making America today exceptional. As America does contain its periods of lows, such as debt and the acceptance of those different than the standard white crowd, for example gays and African Americans, it also contains a plentiful amount of highs like our every booming nationalism. Most Americans are proud to be Americans and celebrate it daily, the Fourth of July is a holiday that all citizens of the United States can collaborate celebrate as they relish in their pride of being American. Murray discusses America being the first to create a form of central government so controlled and contained and that gives the majority of its power to the citizens. As exceptional is originally thought to be a piece of work beyond flawless, which America is not, America’s improvement in the obstacles it has overcome and the place it stands today is definitely exceptional.
33. Morgan Flynn January 11, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    1. The American frontier was a place where immigrants went to settle in America. This allowed them to immerse themselves with Americans in a safe environment, and was a safe way for ne cultures to spread across the United States. The people in the frontier were then able to work together to be successful. The growing number of settlers inland helped create transportation systems to get goods to them. The people here packed up their things and left for a new life, showing their bravery and their true American spirit of freedom and hope. While they were individuals from their home countries, they banded together to become one united group, which is what the American spirit is all about.
    7. I think that slavery and the treatment of the Indians is the most valid point because what whites did to these people is unacceptable. There isn’t much of a way to put a positive spin on this, making this the most valid criticism of American Exceptionalism. You also can’t deny that this was a huge problem back in the 1800’s, making it very easy to see this as America being not-so exceptional.
    8. I don’t really agree with Murray’s idea that today’s elite have no life experience. Most of today’s elite have stories to their names, and a handful of those people, such as Bill Gates and, dropped out of school to pursue their own legacy. They likely started out with almost nothing, some of them working from garages, but today they are on top. I think that these people have life experience because they were once at the bottom, but they were able to use their skills to propel themselves to the top, and they have become names all of us know.
    9. I don’t think that America is any less exceptional as it was in the 1800’s, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Back then, slavery was a huge problem and people were being separated by race until the 1960’s and onward. Today, we still have discrimination against certain races, religions, and now with the LBGTQ+ community finally being able to have their rights, there are still people who refuse to let America become a better place for people of different race, gender, of sexuality than themselves. This, like slavery, is just treatment of people just because of their differences. It certainly is not an exceptional quality of a nation.
34. Giovanni Romano January 11, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    1. The frontier changed and shaped America into one of the best countries in the world, due to how impressive the hardworking people that lived and worked in it. The people that worked the land in the olden days were some of the toughest ones in the world; some chose to work the difficult and rocky ground of the North East. The other ones decided to brave a trip westward and chop down many huge trees to make a passable farm to survive. They not only had to farm the food that their whole usually large families, but according to Charles Murry they also gathered, shot, bred, spun, wove, salted, churned, milled, distilled, quarried, hewed, and constructed the things to make their families independent. The ruggedness of the frontier allowed the settlers to have very strong core values such as self-reliance, wanting to have a life for you, and wanting to better that life later on. Finally the frontier shaped the US by allowing for western expansion, and the strengthening of good core values that we still follow today.
    7. The most valid criticism that was raised was the horrible treatment of native Americans and Slaves. These are the worst topics to talk about and learn about, these continue to be the worst stain on American history. Slaves lived in horrible shacks that had dirt floors and were jam packed with slaves; this was happening just outside the gigantic mansions with just a few people in it and having those poor people waiting on their every need. Slaves also had big issues on having children, many children died due to lack of attention while their parents were forced to work. Though slavery was finally abolished in 1865 black people were horrible treated by white southerners, the same white southerners that had them enslaved for decades. The Native Americans were also horribly treated by the white colonists. The Natives were killed and pushed back out of their lands. The Trail of Tears was one of the worst mark on the treatment of Indians, they were forced off of their lands and thousands died, and this was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. However I don’t believe that Americans are obsessed with money. This is very one sided and you have no idea which Americans they are talking about, and that this seems very unbelievable that all Americans are the greedy people that Murry describes.
    8. I would agree with Murray’s ideas on how the wealthy are detached from our normal society. It is a reoccurring theme in many movies and books where a wealthy kid ventures out into the world despite what their parents want and realize that what they know is a lie. This is also a theme in real life there are plenty of rich people that have no idea what poor people deal with because they just don’t have that sort of experiences, and if you have never experienced something it makes it very hard to relate. However like with all rules there is an exception, there are still a small portion of people that start from nothing and end up as a billionaire, though this does happen it is a very low percentage. The wealthy have a very easy but often overlooked detachment of the “common people”.

    9. I no longer believe that America is exceptional based on what Murry defines it as. America is making it much harder for people that want to come into the country; Donald Trump is one of the easiest ways to show this. However the people that we are keeping out could be the next “rugged frontiersmen” that can help our country. This is the largest reason that America is no longer exceptional.
35. Emma Lucken January 11, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    The frontier helped to shape America because the land in the frontier had rich soil and was easily cultivated so it provided a fresh start for Americans who needed to restart. The frontier encouraged adventurism and hard work in early Americans and these traits helped to establish the U.S., as we know it. One of America’s most important traits is the wide range of people it enticed in the early years of its life. Immigrants flocked from all around the world for a variety of different reasons. Many different types of people came to America and because of this, there was room for a lot of conflict. The frontier brought the expansion immigrants needed to separate the many different people in the country. This allowed for lower tensions and less competition for land. The frontier also draws a certain type of people, a people that were willing to work hard and long for the future they envisioned themselves in. This type of person was hard working, tenacious, and excited for their future. People like this, people willing to “…chop down a forest and root out the stumps before they could plow their first field…cross an ocean, chop down the forest…[and] subsist with hardly any access to either the necessities or comforts of life..” were the people whose backs America was built on. The frontier allowed these hard working people to prosper and thrive; an important aspect of America’s history. Frontiers people required manufactured goods from the East Coast, which contributed to the growth of the nation’s transportation infrastructure. All of these aspects of the frontier, the peace it formed; the spirit it fostered; the necessities it warranted, created the America we know today.
    I do believe that we still have an egalitarian society, even if it is different from that of our past. We have no monarchs, no “your highnesses” or “my lady’s,” and that is something we will always have the advantage of. Our classes are not as defined as other countries, we are all still people working for our futures. There is not a specific accent for one class, there is not a certain title for someone in a class and the very basics of our nation are built on equality (though this is definitely flawed as you will see later) and the belief that anyone can work for the future they want. Although the class divides may be widening, I believe that the fact that anyone could be mistaken for another class shows that we are still egalitarian at heart.
    The one area of criticism of American Exceptionalism that I believe is the most important is that of slavery and Native Americans. American Exceptionalism is painted as America being on a pedestal, not plagued by the issues of other countries when, in reality, we suffer from the same if not more prejudice than the countries we claim to be better than. Descriptions of American Exceptionalism don’t include the suffering of African Americans and the oppression they faced and still face everyday. American society is inherently racist; the only difference is that some citizens try to overcome the prejudices that are so bred into them. When talking about American Exceptionalism, historians and citizens conveniently forget about the three centuries of Americans invading native land and the brutal treatment and decimation of Indian tribes. The area of criticism that is least important is ideology. Ideology is the least concerning of the criticisms of American Exceptionalism, in part because it is not a big issue and in part because there are much more relevant issues The Founding Fathers had a right to be so concerned about limited government as they had just come out from under the rule of a particularly controlling monarch. The Founders could not have possibly predicted what the future would hold but the fact that the Constitution still stands today is a testament to their foresight and amazing imagine for this nation.
    I believe do not believe America is still exceptional. Even though I feel sad to write this, I don’t see anything to prove me wrong. We no longer have a frontier to move to and instead of being able to pick up and restart anywhere, people are stuck where they are if they don’t have the funds to do anything else. As Murray said, the oceans no longer separate us from other countries so there is not one type of hard working individual that settles here but rather anyone who wants to (sort of). We have to defend our borders from illegal immigration and terrorism is a very real threat we face (another great point by Murray). The hard working spirit of America is slowly fading and technology is filling that need for hard work. Our newer generations know less and less about working hard like our original founders did and if the endless comments from older relatives don’t prove that then the reliance on technology will. I believe America is still great underneath these problems, our principle factors will never fade away and what we are built on-hard work, freedom, and many cultures-will not fade either. We just have to work hard to get back to where we were before.
36. McKenna Moosekian January 11, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    1. The Frontier has helped shape America in many different ways. The Frontier helped stop the tension with incoming immigrants. With all of the room they came across they had room for everyone. No one fought or argued over the land and everything was rather peaceful. American Identity stemmed from having a frontier in the first place according to Fredrick Jackson Turner. The Frontier helped different people in different ways and really ended up making a difference because they helped people become individuals.
    3. I definitely think that we still do have an egalitarian society. Murry writes that lower classes and upper classes were not treated differently or one treated more unfair than the other in the word of the law. The lower and upper classes were intertwined in society one way or another. Murry continues to say how the lower classes always had the ability to become an elitist. The idea is kind of similar to quotes and sayings we go by today, that anyone can live the “American dream” and that just because people have more money doesn’t mean that they are going to be what defines this country. Even though people respected the people with money, the people with little money and who just built a strong character for themselves are the people who are respected the most because they were a self made man who had done everything in their life all on there own. America might have social classes now, but it still is an egalitarian society.
    7. I really believe that the most valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism includes the area the treatment of Indians and the area involving slaves. The treatment to this two groups of people was horrible and the way these American citizens treated them will never be excused or forgivable. These slaves were treated terribly and were constantly forced to work under harsh conditions by white male land owners. On the other hand the Indians were forced or pushed off their land by white Americans for their benefit. I think that the least valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism is the idea of industriousness. Murray says that Americans obsessed with possessions, money and power compared to how Europeans are not. I think that this statement is more opinion based because I don’t necessarily agree with the claim.
    9. I believe that America remains exceptional and by that I mean that we are a strong independent nation that continues to progress, grow and become the best that it can be. I also think we are exceptional because of the freedom that our country allows its citizens. We have seen progression in important things like voters rights and discrimination. Originally only wealthy white males were able to vote and now everyone that is over 18 is now able to vote. As for discrimination we have seen progression in that too because all races are treated mostly equally. Another example is the fact that gay marriage is now allowed. This may be a very new and recent thing, but it definitely was a big step for America as a nation. Even though America has had its problems and we make mistakes our country is always striving for the freedom of our people.
37. Olivia S. January 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    3. In general, we are still an egalitarian society today as described by Murray. I agree with the statement that we lack paraphernalia of class. Unlike many Europeans, Americans do not greet each other with titles like “my lord” or “your excellency”. Our society is not divided into extreme social classes like much of Europe. Murray states that if you look at an American, you can not tell what social class they are in. Sometimes, it is obvious someone is in the upper class if they are driving fancy cars, wearing very high end clothes, and living lavish lifestyles that involve traveling to exotic places. Also, it is fair to say someone is in the lower class if they wear ratty, old clothing. These are extreme exceptions, so it is almost impossible to tell what class someone is in based on looks. For example, someone in the middle/lower class may choose to spend their money on nice clothes and traveling instead of basic needs, but you wouldn’t know they are middle/lower class; it’s all relative. Murray also writes that “accents do not stamp your class”. For the most part, an accent does not stamp your class because there are many exceptions to this statement. As an example, many southerners are successful lawyers and doctors who may be living an upper class lifestyle. However, there may be some southerners who are dirt poor and need government assistance to obtain basic needs. The fact that the doctor and the poor farmer both have the same Texan accent does not mean they are in the same class. Finally, I agree with Murray’s final lines about Egalitarianism. He describes that Americans all feel the same in the sense that your earnings are what decides your class, not what family you were born into. Americans believed that wealth does not equate to dominance or “greater human worth”. Today, I think that Americans still have this mindset. Americans are aware that even if you are born into a very low class or in some special cases a very high class, it is you who has the power to change your status; it is not decisive of the circumstances you are born into.

    6. Murray states that he does not think we has a working class political party because “America did not live in a class conscious culture”. What I think Murray means is that despite the economic differences in each of the classes, Americans coexist with one another harmoniously. Americans are not subject to obeying or respecting a small, elite class of people, but we respect each other and have learned to peacefully interact with one another. I agree with Murray’s statement completely. Unlike countries in Europe and Asia who have a supreme leader or a monarch to govern the country, the United States is powered by the people. The president does not have complete control over the people; the people can use their voice. In contrast with other nations, we do not greet others, especially those in the government or the upper class with the terms “your excellency” or “my lord”. Americans are not separated into two extreme classes like many other countries. Part of the reason we don’t have a working class party is that we have a middle class. With the development of a middle class, it makes it easier and more natural for the rich to interact with the poor. In many other countries, their main parties are the rich and the poor, which is why they develop a working-class party.

    7. The most valid criticism of the concept of American Exceptionalism is the claim that Americans are religious for the wrong reasons. As mentioned in the article, “the continuing vitality of religion in America is a force for reactionary policies, not a force for good”. For example, when the issue of gay marriage was the top priority in our country, many people pulled the religion card to say that we should not allow gay marriage to be legalized. I find that today, more and more people who are barely religious decide to incorporate religion into debates to prevent a policy from becoming established. From what I’ve observed, Americans are less willing to use religion for its intentions of good deeds. The least valid of these claims is that of community life, in which critics say that despite these organizations, there existed poverty and suffering. The article also claims that the activities are boring, and people relied too much on neighbors. I disagree with these points of many reasons. First off, it may be true that poverty existed while the organizations existed, but it is nearly impossible for a single organization or even a small group of organizations to eliminate poverty overall. The fact that poverty and other suffering existed did not mean that the organizations were not successful. The claim is also that the organizations were weak and participation is low, but that is not always true. When it come to charity and volunteer work, many people are eager to participate. People all around the country are willing to devout their time and money to doing community service. Also, the programs people participate in are not always boring. There are fun ways to help the community, such as planting a garden or visiting at the Friendship Circle. The claim that community life in America is a weak point is false because of the interest in community projects and volunteer work I see around me today.

    9. I think that America is still exceptional. In my opinion, American Exceptionalism refers to the idea that America is unique and tremendous. Today, Americans can freely vote for whoever they want, and they can publicly voice their opinions of government officials without being punished. That is unique to us and maybe only a few other countries. Also, America is still the land of opportunity despite criticism that it is no longer. There are endless jobs people can obtain, but that is dependent on if people seek out jobs or not. Also, The United States is known for its religious freedom, another thing that makes us unique and great. All of these examples are just a few reasons of the many for why Americans are extraordinary individuals working together to create a country that prospers. Although there are many statistics, including some in the article by Murray, that show how America is on the decline, there is not enough information to prove that America is not great and, well, truly exceptional.
38. Sean S. January 11, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    1. The frontier has shaped America by providing more land for colonial farmers, and allowing the population to spread, instead of confining us to a certain area and causing overpopulation. The frontier offered enough land for Americans and non-Americans alike, which made sure there suitable land for farming and allowed some of the lower class to gain land and improve their standings in society. The frontier also created the need to create ways to get costal goods inland towards the growing number of settlers. This sparked the need for roads, canals, and railways to provide transportation for trade goods and settlers, hoping to start a new life. Packing up all your belongings and hitting the trail to try and start a new life created a sense of pride, knowing that they were making their own path in life and doing what they needed to do to thrive.
    6. Using the phrase “America did not live in a class conscious culture”, I believe that Murray is saying that people were blind to the socio-economic differences in their own society. In early America, the rich stayed with the rich, and the poor stayed with the poor. The upper class of America was unaware of the fact that their actions in government affected not only themselves, but also all of those poor farmers who they had never met. I completely agree with this because the government was full of wealthy snobs who had no regard for anything but keeping their own wealth. Had the founding fathers taken into account the lower classes when drafting the constitution, America would have turned out a very different place.
    7. I think the most valid area of criticism of American Exceptionalism is the area of slavery and Indians. This area is the hardest to argue for a positive American trait since what America did to enslaved African Americans and Native Americans was so inexcusable. Because of theses actions, America is still a racist society, even though we claim to be accepting. We choose to judge people based on skin color, rather than who they are as a person. Just because someone looks different, does not mean they want or need to be treated differently. I feel the most invalid point made by Murray is that of industriousness. I feel this argument is not as strongly supported, or as easily argued for.
    9. I believe that America is not still exceptional today because of our stereotyping of a culture based on the actions of few, and our refusal to learn and grow as a nation. In recent years, Americans have grown to hate and fear all Muslims, passing judgment based on the actions of a select few. We as a nation need to grow past these stereotypes and judge people based on their individual actions, not the actions of others from their culture or religion. I believe that America can be the shining example in the world again, if we learn to accept people for who they are as a person, not what they look like or what religion they choose to follow.
39. Sean Bonner January 11, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Question 1:
    The frontier significantly shaped America. Many of the characteristics of the people of the new, exceptional nation of the United States were born from the rugged frontier of the North American continent. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, only a very select number of immigrants had what it took to venture across the vast and unknown Atlantic Ocean, establish towns in the middle of massive forests, and try their luck at cultivating the massive frontier almost untouched by man. Only the courageous and the bold who were willing to take risks to try to start over with a fresh, new life had what it took to colonize America.
    Once the new nation bought the Louisiana Purchase and continued to travel west of the Appalachians and the Mississippi river, farms started popping up all over the west. The need for manufactured goods from the East demanded the construction of roads, bridges, canals, and eventually even railroads to further connect the sprawling new country. This success gave Americans much to be proud about.

    Question 3:
    I believe that America still has an egalitarian society when it comes to social class as explained by Murray. We have never grown up to respect a certain class of people more than another in America. The only way people are legitimately classified in America is by income; meaning whether you are part of the lower, middle or upper class. Despite this, it isn’t customary to treat these different classes in different ways. I believe that it is fair to say that most Americans aim to grow to live the American dream; to raise a family and pass on success to our children, no matter what our income may be. In America, the economic class greatly depends on what you make of yourself, not what social class you belong in or what family birthed you.

    Question 7:
    The area of criticism on American Exceptionalism that were most valid in my opinion was egalitarianism. We as a country have been quite hypocritical when it comes to claiming “all men are created equal” when racism and discrimination still exists today.
    The criticism talked about in the text that I saw as most invalid would be that of slavery and industriousness. While America did take part in slavery for well over a century, Europe isn’t in any position to criticize. All major European powers, like England and France, are guilty of slave-holding histories. England, France, and other European nations brutally colonized Africa and enslaved the native tribes that lived there. As for industriousness, I understand that Americans have been notorious for a great desire for money and success. I don’t see much negativity in this. A drive for a good education to become successful in life drives the innovation and advance in technology in America.

    Question 9:
    I have to agree with Murray in the fact that America still is exceptional, but not nearly as much as it used to be. When I mean exceptional, I mean being different in virtues and standards than the rest of the world; Europe primarily. The frontier has been dead for over 100 years, and all immigrants are almost guaranteed better life than poverty in America with today’s welfare. Also, more Americans are unemployed today than in the 20th century, and less are working more than 40 hours a week. The average American still clocks in more hours than that of the average European; a piece of evidence that shows we are still a bit exceptional. In addition, America today has evolved pockets of elite neighborhoods and areas that generally earn higher incomes and are more successful. A good example is Birmingham in itself. Many Birmingham students are born into very comfortable wealth, and are isolated from the mainstream working America. Overall, I believe that America has been losing its exceptionalism that it once had in the 29th and 20th centuries.
40. Erinn Costello January 11, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    American Exceptionalism
    1. The frontier of American was different around every corner. I the south there were thick forests, that need to be chopped down and rooted up before planting could take place. In the New England area there was not much soil to begin with and the soil was rocky. Also the American Frontier was across the Atlantic Ocean from anywhere the settlers called home. The United States enjoyed the buffer between them and their mother country, the new land had high immigration and the open land made room for everyone. The American intellect gets its striking characteristics from the individualism that began to shape the freedom of America.
    3. Egalitarian is a society where all the people deserve equal rights. In the 1800s this was shown by not having a monarchy, or not having labels for government leaders. There was no distinctive why of looking o show your class. Now days I believe that the idea of egalitarianism is around and fully believed by some people. But when you look deeper all you can notice is how not everyone is treated equal. Also the old idea that your class can’t be told by the way you look or dress is wrong today. As a teenager it is obvious who is wearing the designer clothes and who can only afford the off brand. That is just one miniscule differences in one another. The egalitarian society is strived for today but nowhere close to being reached.
    7. I believe the six areas of citizen in this report were: Egalitarianism, Religiosity, Community Life, Slavery and Indians, Ideology, and Industriousness. In my opinion I think Religiosity is the most valid. America is based on religious freedom, and I might only think this because I am not really open to religious injustice. I believe that all religious type have their right to live in America and believe in what they want. If we let people who believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster live here, it should be okay for the Muslim religion of 1400 years to live here in peace. The most invalid topic I seem to believe is Community Life. The article discuses friendly neighbors and close communities. From what I see in our culture today majority of Americans are too busy worrying about themselves than to send a care to someone less fortunate than them. It seems like Americans have had that trait from the beginning of the country.
    9. As a young teen who has barley experienced other cultures, I believe America is extremely exceptional. Not only in the confusing points made a long time ago, pointed out in our notes, but now days. As an American I am aware of the issues of our county and I hate it, as I can see other people do to because many others take time to protest for what they believe in. In history we see the peaceful protested from the civil rights movement. Just the fact that the citizens of The United States of American can be the change they wish to see makes me believe the America is Exceptional!
41. Stephanie J January 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    1. The frontier has shaped America by the expansion of land and using that land for the evolution of American identity. The lands to the west, the Appalachians and west of the Mississippi through the Louisiana Purchase, gave America the richest soil in the world for prosperous farms. These new areas provided a place for people to move to for whatever reason they needed or wanted to. There was also enough room for new immigrants to spread out and find land. The frontier and its traits came with freedom. The frontier created the need for ways to get goods from the East Coast, the transportation infrastructure which includes roads, canals, and (later) railroads. These bounded the nation together.
    2. I think the phrase “self-interest rightly understood” means that people do things that benefit themselves which they think could also benefit the community as a whole. People were working for the good of others even though they were mainly looking out for their own self-interests. It was used as the defense of freedom. People used it to explain and make others accept their personal actions. This phrase has shaped American thinking by adding an idea of justification to the freedom of the people.
    7. I think that the most valid area of criticism is slavery and Indians. This seems to be the most valid because what Murray had said about this part being ignored in the positive descriptions is true. There was the oppression of African Americans, and time where Native Americans were pushed off of their land. This is such a huge negative that is a part of American history and can’t and shouldn’t be ignored. I think the least valid area of criticism would be religiosity. American Exceptionalism is about being different and having that individualism. There are different religions and some people aren’t religious, so I don’t think there is a big enough argument to say that religion affects it.
    9. In my opinion, America is still exceptional. Exceptional, to me, doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but maybe just uncommon (or unique) with some good qualities. America is still different from other countries and it still attracts people looking for work or somewhere to start over. Americans still are neighborliness and come together to help each other. Some of the ways America was exceptional that Murray brought up might have changed, and most likely did because people are making changes. There is room for improvement, though, but there will always be room for improvement.
42. Piper Meloche January 11, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Un-bolded Questions
    Do we still have an egalitarian society?
    I do not believe we still have an egalitarian society. In America today, elitism is a problem that holds America back from becoming nineteenth-century Egalitarian as Murray defines. It is the rich and the wealthy in politics, and running our country, and we as run-of-the-mill middle to lower class people should hold the most amount of respect physically possible. Look at how America treats candidates like Trump. He’s considered likable not because of his political career (probably because he has none). It is his money and status that make him popular in the polls, yet the mass media still treats this man who most of us consider quite racist and misogynistic respectfully. This is classism at its finest. Looking at all of the 2016 presidential candidates only three (Sanders, Rubio and O’Malley) have a net worth under one million dollars (www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2015/09/29/forbes-2016-presidential-candidate-net-worth-list/3/). To put that into perspective the average American has a net worth of 300,000 (money.cnn.com/2014/06/11/news/economy/middle-class-wealth/). Millionaires are also the majority of congress. (www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/01/millionaires-club-for-first-time-most-lawmakers-are-worth-1-million-plus/). Three candidates may seem like enough to some to make our society truly egalitarian, or maybe its MOST of congress but it’s not ALL of congress at least. This idea is flawed in the simplest sense of the term. The fact is most of congress and presidential hopefuls are not slightly above the people economically, they are over 3 times wealthier.

    8. Would you agree w/ Murray’s contention that today’s elite “never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America”? Why or why not?
    Yes. I most definitely would agree with that statement. The rich and powerful men (and occasionally womyn) that run our country make up an extremely small percent of our country. The experiences of the Trumps (it scares me how much I have referenced Trump in this blog) of the world is extremely different from that of the middle class (which makes up roughly 53% of the country http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/middleclassreport.pdf) and most certainly different from those below the poverty line (roughly 15% of Americans and 21.3% of children (www.nclej.org/poverty-in-the-us.php). People like Trump (last time I will say his name I promise) will never know what it’s like to not know where your next meal will come from or what it’s like to be unable to afford medical care but be too “rich” to qualify for government assistance, or to spend time rotting away in prison for a crime you didn’t commit just because you cannot afford bail. This is the economic norm in this country and one the majority of elites will never have to face
    Bolded Questions:
    Is America exceptional?
    I believe that America is not inherently exceptional. The rampant racism in the country and the ideals that make America what it is leave little room for exceptionalism. I do not think America can be exceptional when we have stories like that of Imam Luqman, a Black Muslim who was shot 21 times by the FBI. In the violent episode, the dog the FBI had accompanying it was wounded. The German Sheppard was airlifted to the hospital while Luqman was left in the streets to die (www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/07/26/imam-luqman-abdullah-shooting-lawsuit/30619475/). Unfortunately, American stories of exceptionalism often end once we see the truth. America is not inherently exceptional, but it is not inherently bad either. We can work to fix this country simply by being more aware of the flaws America has.
    Which qualities do you agree with which do you disagree with?
    I agree most with the slavery and Indians arguments. Given history with these two minority groups in the United States, it is hard to see America as anything but cruel. From small-pox blankets to the Redskins, from slavery to voter ID laws, we are anything but exceptional. I also think the religion arguments were valid. Most religious organizations have done great things but there are organizations like the West Bureau Baptist Church who do acts that are flat out deplorable and do them because this is what “God wanted for our country”. I disagree most with the egalitarianism claim. I think that true egalitarianism is impossible. Structures of power will arise, so this should not be a hindrance to American Exceptionalism.
43. Ro Arambula January 11, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    9) America is exceptional. By my definition of exceptional, which is to be unlike others in a superior way, I believe that we look at ourselves as different compared to the other great nations of the world. We are the best in our eyes because of the free lifestyle we have. The way our system is set up, is it allows the ordinary citizen to have a voice and to reach new heights in terms of finances and wealth. Murray talks about how our geographical region is no longer exceptional because our oceans do not separate us from other countries and we have nations at all of our borders. To counter that however, I feel as if the United States is still the most powerful force in the western hemisphere, if not the world. So although we are no longer alone on this continent, we still reign exceptional.

    7) After reading Murray’s piece on American Exceptionalism, he criticizes our treatment of African Americans and Native Americans the most. Although, for the most part, these mistreatments were dozens of years ago, the actions are still seen today. We can not just bury the skeletons we have in our closet, these are problems that we still have today. After seeing the MLK presentation today (yes I did this the night before), the idea that we need another civil rights movement was enforced, and we don’t just need one for African Americans. Both of these two examples are valid. One other validation made in this article, and something that stuck with me was when Murray said something along the lines of how us Americans live to work. I have thought about that quote a lot, and I cant decide if thats necessarily a bad thing. I mean yes, from the time I awaken, I spend every waking minute trying to better myself and essentially “work.” But I don’t know if I would have it any other way. I suppose that we work now so much so that one day we won’t have to. But even then I feel like one would find something to do, because anyone who has worked that hard for that long, cant just stop working. You become addicted to it after awhile. Still don’t know if thats a bad thing though!

    8)
    When Murray talked about todays elite not knowing mainstream American life, it made me think in two different ways and when discussing this question that is how I am going to break it up. First of all, I’d like to discuss what the mainstream, American life is. Id classify it as working a 9-5 or 8 hour day job with a decent pay. Most individuals graduated college and most individuals look to start a family. I think that todays elite are where they are today because of what they have inherited, and that is just how people work. It is how I got my first job, because I knew the owner. It is how I have gotten numerous privileges and gifts not everyone receives, because I know people. Now imagine todays elite having not only a “foot in the door” before they are even born, but they probably have more than enough finances to be comfortable. Bottom line is today’s elite, for the most part, is where they are today because of their family or their last name or because their dad owns the company. I feel as if the main stream lifestyle is not as luxurious as the elites, and it may take a long time for someone and their family to reach that status. Wealth builds up on it self, and it takes time. I also want to make sure that its known that its known that I am not saying I think its wrong that the elite and mainstream are separated and why they are. Also I do not want to put a stereotype on the mainstream or the elite because there are always exceptions. I feel as if its more of a majority when it comes to these two topics. We should talk about it for a class period, I think it would be beneficial and a lot of fun. Agree Disagree Undecided???

    1)
    The frontier has changed America for the better for lots of reasons. First of all, I think that it was in the nature of the early American citizens to want to explore. I mean, its what we were founded upon, and it is only natural to always return to our roots. I look at it as almost a “project.” Yes that is a very nonchalant word choice but it will suffice. After we spread our wings during the revolution and knocked down the barriers, metaphorically and realistically, you could say that we flew through the frontier. It gave Americans something to ponder, and be excited about. Also with all the new land, people could spread out and this created sectionalism, which can be looked at from a good or bad view point. Overall I believe that the frontier was an opportunity for us Americans to continue to be innovative, which I think is in our nature as a country, and is what we were founded on.
44. London McMurray January 11, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    1. The frontier shaped America because it fostered a composite nationality for the American people. Immigrants and Americans were able to mingle to create a whole new bread of people. It promoted individualism, which Americans were very proud of. The characteristics of the frontier included “the coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and inquisitiveness; that practical, inventive turn of mind, quick to find expedients; that masterful grasp of material things, lacking in he artistic but powerful to effect great ends; that restless, nervous energy, that dominant individualism, working for good and evil, and with buoyancy and exuberance which comes from freedom.” These traits became the mindset of the hard working, determined American you would see today.
    3. I would argue that an Egalitarian society is not present in the America we know today. According to Murray, egalitarianism was shown in the 19th century through the equality of human dignity. Murray also explains how there was an absence of paraphernalia of class, or social levels, where a common man goes from a knight to a baronet and so on and so forth. In this aspect of his claim I would have to disagree because although the social levels may not be as extreme there are levels presents such as the poor, lower class, working lower class, middle class, etc. Therefore I conclude that America today is not an egalitarian society, not only because of the class differences but also many other indifferences dealing with race sex and possibly even religion.
    7. Slavery and Indians was the most valid point because America was wrong for what hey did to these people. They wanted equality but didn’t want to treat everyone equal, so often they sounded very hypocritical. I think Religiosity is the most in-valid point because I don’t think because Europe is less religious than America that they are doing better than us, in fact I believe Europe is more religious just not as diverse.

    9. I believe that America is still exceptional because I feel we are a role model for most if not all the other countries and societies in the world. Entertainment wise we are and have the most influential and popular artist. Political wise I believe we are one of if not the most powerful players. A lot of people want to live here because of the American dream to find happiness and prosperity. Although we may have our shortcomings overall America is still a great country.
45. Matt August January 11, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    3.
    I believe that American society today qualifies as an egalitarian society by Murray’s definition. According to Murray, egalitarianism can be defined as “the equality of human dignity.” American society today achieves this definition in several ways. Firstly, there are no labels of social class such as Peasant, Knight, Lord, King (as in feudalism) or Brahmins and Shudras (Indian caste system). There are also no legal job restrictions based on family social status or economic wealth (versus the Indian caste system where if you were born into a certain class then you would be destined to stay in that class for the rest of your life.) Appearance also does not legally separate America into social classes unlike the romans, where the color purple for clothing and the fabric of silk was reserved for and represented elites. An opposing argument for America failing as an egalitarian society, are the difficulties women, minorities and the poor face when finding employment, housing and social advancement. Even though there are undeniable class differences in modern American society, they are not part of the rule of law nor are they accepted by all members of the society.
    6.
    Murray states that the reason America doesn’t have a strong working-class political party is because “America did not live in a class conscious culture.” I believe Murray is trying to explain is that American society and social class was not entirely based on ones’ profession, unlike the Indian caste system that based social status on what profession your parents held and the profession you would hold. I agree with Murray’s statement, as a political party based on classes in the workforce would be useless in a country where social class is not based on exclusively on profession.

    7.
    I personally believe that “Community” is the most valid criticism of American Exceptionalism. The United States of America was founded on unity. Americans historically forged bonds to achieve independence and survive. In the past, Americans were forced to trust one another to overcome a common enemy. According to surveys, Americans now trust each other less and less each year. This lack of community stops us from forming perfect American Exceptionalism. “Religiosity” is the least valid criticism of American Exceptionalism. The main reason that this criticism is invalid is that the descent of Christianity is not the “End of American Exceptionalism” I believe that Murray is missing the fact that the first amendment includes the freedom of religion, the ability to join and practice any religion. America was populated by those seeking relief from religious persecution and those seeking to practice their religion differently from the mainstream. Using Murray’s logic, if religious practice becomes more diverse, then American Exceptionalism is lost. This logic is contradictory and baffling, religious beliefs do not represent the downfall of American Greatness, unity in spite of differences and (in same cases) due to differences in religions is an example of American Exceptionalism.
    9.
    I believe that while America is still exceptional, there has been a saddening decrease in American Exceptionalism. The reasons we still have American Exceptionalism is the fact we are an egalitarian society as we do not have social classes and do not have codified laws regarding physical, economic, or religious separations that define non egalitarian society. Another reason we continue to maintain our American Exceptionalism is our relationship to Religion. Most Americans protect and respect freedom of religion as we did back when we shed blood to achieve independence and achieve Exceptionalism. Where those two traits of our Exceptionalism continue to shine, the we are lacking others. America has been missing the trait of Industrious for at least half a century. From 1964 to 2008, the proportion of 30-49 age men who work 40+ hours has gone down from 81% to 64%. The other trait that we have been stranded without is Community Life. Over time, social capital has gone down tremendously and according to surveys, Americans trust each other less and less for every year. Overall, we American citizens still have a grasp on American Exceptionalism, but if we want to continue onward with this idea, we will need to make improvements in today’s society.
46. jacob smith January 11, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    7. Charles Murray’s six criticisms of American exceptionalism include Slavery and persecution of Indians, egalitarianism, industriousness, ideology, religiosity and community life. The most valid criticism was clearly slavery and persecution of Native Americans. It is a ridiculous statement to say that the nation was fundamentally built on the concept that all men are created equal after viewing an economy so deeply dependent on slavery that it eventually created a civil war. The very nation was built off of the labor and suffering of a population of people deemed less than human. The statement becomes even more ridiculous if you look at mistreatment, displacement and genocide of native peoples to create farmland and new frontier for expansion.
    The least valid of the six criticisms would be religiosity this is because one of the things that truly do make America exceptional is the freedom of religion.

    9. I believe that America is still if not far more exceptional than in Charles Murray’s time. America has become a world superpower, holds the most powerful military in the world and advocates freedom. It is obviously impossible for me to provide a nonbiased opinion from the inside looking out. However looking at the power, stability and overall rights held so tightly by the citizens of the nation America is nothing but exceptional.

    1. The frontier changed America in the sense that it allowed for a steady source of land for Americas population (specifically immigrants) to expand and grow onto. This also allowed for the creation of the “melting pot of America” because the frontier was a place that immigrants lost their European nationalities and truly became American. Finally the frontier caused a growth in the demand for manufactured products of the east coast thus creating a new need for transportation leading to the building of new canals, railroads and roads leading to the heart of the new country.

    8. Unfortunately I would agree that today’s elite and upper class have never had personal exposure to life in mainstream America. This is evident in the words of many of America’s upper class with their small loans of one million dollars and such. There is an obvious culture of entitlement in the upper class of America this is because most of the people were simply born into wealth without having to work for anything in their lives. This problem is certainly not limited to the wealthiest class unfortunately. Even the middle class does not fully understand the plight of the lower class simply because whatever class you are born into is the one of whom people you feel most comfortable around and will inevitably be the class that you spend the most time with.
47. chandlerallred January 11, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    1) The frontier changed America in a several ways. One way was the expansion of land. The frontier offered plenty of land for everybody, including non-American citizens. When the U.S expanded its territory across the Appalachian Mountains, there was a large influx of land that provided enough for everybody. The excess of land also meant that immigrants and poor people could get some, and citizens and immigrants no longer needed to fight over land. The people were no longer confined into urban areas, and had space to spread out over the land. Historian Fredrick Jackson Turner created a theory of American exceptionalism which stated that American identity developed because of the frontier. Many new immigrants came to the U.S causing it to develop a unique sense of identity. In addition, the frontier made the need for manufactured goods form the east coast and inland. This was a catalyst for the development of Americas transportation system, including train tracks and roads. Part of American exceptionalism is the dream of making your own trail in life and being self-made. People wanted to venture out across the frontier and make a life for themselves
    4) A Great Awakening means that a large and significant change has been made in the way the majority of the people think. All the Great Awakenings in American history changed the nation. Our nation was even sprung into existence thanks to the Great Awakening in the mid 1700’s due to George Whitfield, which caused the American people to start question authority and eventually laid the groundwork for the revolutionary war. Another Great Awakening led to the civil war more about 100 years later. Great Awakenings also amplify American exceptionalism because they unify the country. It gives the people a common cause and idea to bond with.

    7) I believe the most valid areas of criticism are slavery and Native-Americans. Many people say America is great and has freedom and equality; however that is proven not true due to the fact we still have slavery and huge amounts of inequality. For example, slaves did not even count as a whole person due to the 3/5ths act. This shows evidence of American exceptionalism being wrong. There were other cases of inequality besides race such as social/economis classes. America has a big problem with wealth distribution and a few of the people hold a lot of the money. Religion was also a topic on which there were inequality issues. Some people were persecuted for their beliefs and sometimes the governments even controlled religion. Most intelligent people stopped being so serious about religion. So American exceptionalism stated that life was great and prosperous in America but it is evident this was not true in many, many cases. And finally there’s community life. People made it seem like it was great and with lots of activities. There was that but they forgot to mention the poor people and other sufferings. I think the least valid area of criticism is the area of industriousness. Murray claimed that the American people are greedy and selfish at times and lust for money, however this is more of his personal moral opinion and not really true. Having the qualities of industriousness led to America having a great economy and becoming a world leader, so you can’t say that it was all bad.
    9) Yes, I firmly believe that America still exhibits American exceptionalism. It is evident in many of the things in American life. I have lived in several other countries and have noticed that there is a very strong sense of pride in our nation. For example, we say the pledge of allegiance every day at school, which is something no other country does. America always believes in itself, but it is also backed up by the fact that we are very confident as a nation because we are one of the most developed and powerful nations in the world.
48. isaac thompson January 11, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    1) The American Frontier has shaped America by giving all different races an opening to live. People would risk their lives crossing oceans in determination to live the American dream. I would say that frontiersman were very inspirational and hardworking people because they survived off of their own resources and developed their own businesses and products with little or no help. With the help of the frontier, America’s reputation changed greatly. People in search of a new beginning with little or no money to support what was yet to come had to work themselves up to higher classes. People on the frontier were given the ability to change, they were Americanized and liberated. The frontier helped build the America that we know of today and helped unite the country into a civilized and developed country.
    3. I do not believe that we live in what Murray describes as an egalitarian society because he is simply proposing that hard work pays off, and if you work hard enough, you will become successful. However, I feel that our society that we live in today depends on advantages and disadvantages of different social classes. I believe that if you were born into the upper class, it would be simple to carry out what is necessary to be an upper-class citizen. On the other hand, if you were born into poverty with no form of education, lack of supplies etc. it would be extremely difficult to work your way up.
    7. In my opinion, I believe the area of criticism in American Exceptionalism that is most valid is industriousness. I understand how much Americans value money and it’s what we live for. They say that money is the root of all evil and I agree with that statement. One thought that is mutual through all children’s minds is where they will be when they are older. Will they be wealthy? Will they be broke? It all depends on the income they receive. On the other hand, I believe that the least important criticism is religiosity. In my opinion, I do not think religion doesn’t determine intelligence, and it was merely created to teach humans morals. In the article Murray claims that Europe has advanced beyond our capabilities because of their lack of religious activities. I do not think this is a valid statement because like I said before, religion doesn’t define intelligence.
    9) I do believe that America is still exceptional. I feel that America is still exceptional because of the strong sense of nationalism that has remained and grown in the country for centuries. America is a safe and secure country and I feel that other countries understand that as well, and that is why Americas minority population has been increasing recently.
49. Lindsay H January 11, 2016 at 10:32 pm

    The frontier helped shape American exceptionalism in a number of ways. First, it helped because the people who wanted to come and settle all the terrible land in the parts of America were the hardest working and the ones most wiling to come over and make necessary sacrifices to settle and make lives on that land. But, in the west, the lands were perfect for farming- described as the best in the world, and they didn’t need much to tend to the land. Because of the open frontier, the tensions on immigration were dampened and more and more people came west for a new life. They didn’t even need to compete for the land once they got there, they could just pick up and leave and start a new, good life. Lastly, the open frontier helped evolve American identity and helped America’s transportation infrastructure to grow.
    I believe that we still do have egalitarianism in our society, but more defined than it used to be, and in a little different way. In the 19th century, egalitarianism had more to do with keeping dignity, and not with other forms of equality. During that time in America, there were no labels of class or titles for people with of higher classes. We definitely still don’t have this in America, and never have, but we do speak to elders and “superiors” differently, and refer to those people as “sir” or “ma’am” but sometimes it is out of fear that we say these and our of respect- not based on class and certainly not to the extent of what Europeans did back then. In America we had and have accents based on the region or state that we are from and not what social class we are. People who act and speak superior and not as looked down upon for that, and instead the act of superiority is looked down upon instead of speech. Today, people of all classes work, live, speak, etc. with each other and class is not an issue as much, similarly to how it was back then. One contradiction of this today and back then is that in the 19th century, unless you deserved to be in a lower class, people still had respect for you. Today, this is not so true and people of higher classes will say that impoverished people deserve it, even though that is usually not the case. I suppose people have become more ignorant in this way of judging people on class and not character.
    The Great Awakenings had a great effect on the American people and culture, as well as the system. The first one took place in the first half of the 1700s and was an imperative part of the leading to the revolution. In the early 1800s to the 1840s, The Second Great Awakening led to more emphasis on universal elementary education and abolitionist movements. The third and last Great Awakening started between 1860 and 1890 and lasted until the early years of the 20th century. This one helped move along women’s rights, the New Deal, and the civil rights movement later. Deep religious beliefs helped to shape political decisions and policies throughout American history.
    When Murray says that America didn’t have a strong working class political party because we didn’t have a class conscious society, he means that people of all classes integrated and worked together, and everyone depended on each other. No one had to worry about having a working-class political party because people didn’t seem as concerned or conflicted with each other during this time. They all cooperated and did what they had to do when they needed to. I mostly agree with his opinion because there were some conflicts over the classes that had changes made in the government and policies. I think that people had more respect, or at least seemed to cover up their disdain for other classes is most parts of the country. Other than the obvious slavery and Native American issues which were indeed very significant, everyone seemed content with themselves and seemed to live in peace (for the most part).
    The most valid of the six areas of criticism to me would be the American traits criticism. I think this is the most valid because of all the information that it is backed up with, but also because it gives detailed and strong opinions coming from someone who strongly believes in the American Exceptionalism. Americans these days and as well as back then were and will always be intensely materialistic and power-seeking. Back then the elite came from humble and modest backgrounds that worked their way to where they wanted. Today, the elite are more often than not born into that kind of life and may not need to work as much as others (in some cases. Probably very few) for their preferred professions and have the money to pay for their education and advancement in that field. The least valid point he made in this section was America’s exceptional setting. We still have the oceans, but they are not limiting. I believe it makes us less vulnerable than European countries because we have relatively safe borders and our main issue is immigration. I don’t think we need to feel so threatened by immigration because the biggest portion of them are coming for better lives and to help themselves and their children, NOT for terror or dangerous activities. I think that our location, being more isolated than other countries, offers us more protection from terrorists than other countries have. Terrorism is a greater threat because of our position as a main world power and a major player on the world politics table. I don’t believe that our setting in the world makes us any less exceptional at all. I believe that it gives us a great advantage instead of being limiting.
    I believe that America is still exceptional but in a different way than we used to be. Some of the reasons remain, and some have been switched for other exceptional qualities. By exceptional I mean that there are qualities we possess that other countries don’t, such as our strong government, our overall medical and scientific advancements, and so much more than that. We have problems in our country, as does every country. We still struggle with race issues and sexism, political division, and so many more, and those do hold us back but you know you can’t have everything. Every country has its problems and we should not see our country as superior, but instead as an example and as leaders. We need to help other people with their internal problems and they can help out country with ours. Exceptionalism is not the same as pride but it can turn into pride, which will lead to other problems and conflicts.
50. Joe Behrmann January 11, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    1. The Frontier definitely changed America and helped to shape it in a few different ways. One way it shaped America was the expansion of land. This made America a lot less violent and there was less fighting over the land because it was so abundant. The expansion of land made America a lot safer and a lot more open to immigrants. With more immigrants and population that was growing rapidly, America got larger and larger which helped to develop America into the power it is today. Another way that the Frontier helped to shape America is that it opened up trading on both costs. This helped the economy grow and it helped in building relationships with other countries.

    2. The Great Awakenings have affected our society immensely. The Great Awakenings are somewhat like when the North and South Pole switch in that the views and ideological views of people would completely reverse. Each awakening seems to be bringing our society towards a more accepting and a less violent and radical society. Religion has always been a very important aspect to our society and the Great Awakening changed peoples’ views of the church and began to make people question the Church’s authority. This has led us to become a much more humanistic society in which people are free to have their own religion and all people are able to be considered good.

    7. In my opinion I believe that of all Murray’s criticisms, the most valid of them all is our terrible treatment of the Native Americans and African Americans. The European colonists seemed to care very little about the Native Americans and only seemed to care when it was a tactical advantage towards their cause. American colonists killed tens of millions of Native Americans in ways varying from the spread of disease to warfare. Our treatment towards Native Americans was horrible and it should have been respected that this was their land first. Also throughout our history our treatment of African Americans has been horrendous. Slavery was extremely inhumane and they were treated like animals. I believe that the least valid of Murray’s arguments is religiosity and our community. These do not weaken us, they strengthen us. These aspects of our lives help to tie people together and work towards a greater good. It is mindless to say that these aspects hurt our country or make us less powerful.

    9. In my view, America is definitely still exceptional and I believe that we are still the best country in the world. Whenever other countries need help during a crisis, they turn to us because they know that we are the best country and we will be the most effective help to them. Also in the war against ISIS, America is leading the coalition and other countries are seeking guidance from us. America may be the most exceptional country militarily, but we are also the best country ideologically. In our country all law-abiding citizens have complete freedom and can do whatever they want. They can start their own business and create a life for themselves without the government taking it over. That is why I believe America is still exceptional.