AMERICAN

EXCEPTIONALISM
AND FOREIGN
POLICY
BY:
SAUMYA KULLU 2130927
 Table of content
03-04 05 06 07

INTRODUCTION- BACKGROUND- IMPACT ON ISSUE OF

National and Global Historical roots THE FOREIGN AMERICAN
Idnetity POLICY EXCEPTIONALISM

08 09

CONCLUSION REFERENCES
 INTRODUCTION
American Exceptionalism: American Exceptionalism has determined the
an ideology that political culture and the foreign policy of
portrays America as an America.
inherently different Political culture of America: Egalitarian,
nation that is superior Individualistic, Republican, Democratic, laissez-
to all, with an unique faire economy.
culture, value and Foreign Policy of America: Human Rights
poltical system. Protection, Freedom, Democracy, national
security, economic development, and capitalist
approach.
National & Global Identity
National Identity
American Exceptionalism has become equivalent to the Country’s national identity
American creed- liberty, equality, private property, representative government, and
individualism
Influences the domestic policies- education, immigration, welfare, etc.
Rallying point for unity and pride

Global Identity
American Exceptionalism as global identity of America since the nation prensents itself
through its foriegn policy that is influenced by this ideology
Global Leader - superior of all the superior
Beacon of hope - Progress
Criticism: Hegemonic, form of imperialism, imposing their values without regarding other
sovereignty
 BACKGROUND
AMERICAN REVOLUTION,
1765-1783
roots of American
Exceptionalism
desire for freedom, individual
rights, self-governance
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights & Lousiana
Purchase
MANIFEST DESTINY 19TH C
EXPANSIONISM
Expand through the North
American continent- Atlantic
to Pacific
Annexation of Texas 1845,
Mexican-American War (1846-
1848)
Bring civilization and progress
MONROE DOCTRINE 1823
Western Hemisphere is off-
limit
foundation for US foregn
policy
America as dominant power
 IMPACT ON FOREIGN POLICY
Promotion of Democracy
Eg: US-led invasion in early
2000s to promote
democracy in Afghanistan
and Iraq
Free Trade and
Globalization- Eg: NAFTA
and WTO establishment,
etc.
Interventionism for moral
Global Leadership- Eg:
imperatives- Eg:
Cold War Era: Free from
Intervention in Balkans
Soviet Leadership and
in 1990s, particularly
communism
Bosnia and Kosovo
Unilateralism and
preventive actions- Eg:
Iraq Invasion: Bush
Administration justified
it to remove mass
destruction weapons
ISSUE OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

Justification for Global dominance and Intervention

Janus-faced Foreign Policy

Promotes Democracy vs support authoritarian regime: US supported Saudi

Arabia and Egypt despite human rights violations.
Free Trade vs Protectionism
Interventionism vs Non-interventionism: Intervened in Iraq, Afghanistan and
Libya, on the other hand, pursued isolationist stance putting “America
First.”
Multilateralism vs Unilateralism: US acted as key player in UN, NATO, WTO
for multilateral approach towards global issues, however, pursued unilateral
apporach during withdrawal from Paris Agreement, UNESCO, and Iran
Nuclear Deal.
 Conclusion
Values, ineterests, ideologies, systems, shape the US foreign policy
which guides America’s interaction with other nations in the
International sphere. American Exceptionalism has grown to
become a guiding ideology for USA to form its foreign policies and
spread its exceptional influence over other nations continuing to
remain a global leader.
However, the idea of American Exceptionalism is subject to change
and adapt to the dynamic global environment.
 References
Walt, S. M. (2019, May 9). The myth of American exceptionalism. Foreign Policy.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/the-myth-of-american-exceptionalism/
WashingtonPost.com: American Exceptionalism : A double edged sword. (n.d.).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/americanexceptionalism.htm
Geiger, A. (2020, May 30). The problem of American exceptionalism. Pew Research
Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/2006/05/09/the-problem-of-american-
exceptionalism/
Friedman, U. (2012, June 18). ‘American Exceptionalism’: A Short History. Foreign
Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/06/18/american-exceptionalism-a-short-history/
Yale University Press. (2022, April 13). A brief history of American exceptionalism.
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/2017/02/28/a-brief-history-of-american-exceptionalism/