American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History (Values and

American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History (Values and Capitalism)

The phrase â€œAmerican exceptionalismâ€ is used in many ways and for many purposes, but its original meaning involved a statement of fact: for the first century after the Constitution went into effect, European observers and Americans alike saw the United States as exceptional, with political and civic cultures that had no counterparts anywhere else.

In American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History, Charles Murray describes how Americaâ€™s geography, ideology, politics, and daily life set the new nation apart from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. He then discusses the ways that exceptionalism changed during Americaâ€™s evolution over the course of the 20th century. Which changes are gains to be applauded? Which are losses to be mourned? Answering these questions is the essential first step in discovering what you want for Americaâ€™s future.

American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History (Values and Capitalism)