Charles Murray wrote the pamphlet that you’ve read, “American Exceptionalism,” and in it, he describes the four qualities of American Exceptionalism:

1. American Exceptionalism is a concept that was shared by foreign / Western observers in the 19th Century;

2. American Exceptionalism doesn’t imply excellence or superiority;

3. American Exceptionalism is a fact of the past, not something you believe in;

4. American Exceptionalism typified qualities that we see in the 19th Century.

Murray analyzes the reasons why America is exceptional, including geography, ideology, exceptional traits (like industriousness, egalitarianism, religiosity, and community life) and politics.

Please answer four of the following questions (you must include the two bold ones in your post):

1. How has the frontier shaped America?

2. Define in your own words the phrase “self-interest rightly understood” and then explain how this phrase has shaped American thinking (pgs. 15-16).

3. Do you find that we still have an egalitarian society as defined by Murray?  Why or why not?

4. How have the Great Awakenings affected American society?

5. According to Murray, the aspect of community life / voluntary associations peaked in the first part of the 20th Century but now “has been largely forgotten.”  Why do you think this is so (compare / contrast your opinion w/ Murray’s later in the essay)?

6. Murray says that the reason America doesn’t have a strong working-class political party because “America did not live in a class conscious culture.”  What do you think Murray means by this?  Do you agree with his assessment?  Why or why not?

7. Which of the six areas of criticism of American Exceptionalism are the most valid and least valid in your opinion?  Explain.  

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?

9. Take a stand: Is America still exceptional?  Explain what you mean by exceptional and why or why not.  (You can use Murray’s reasons or come up with some of your own).  

 Minimum 400 words.  Due Tuesday, January 12 by class.