Marks of Distinction

Since colonial times, Americans have viewed themselves as distinct from the inhabitants of other lands. Today, many still do: relishing a sense of their uniqueness more than ever, upholding the superiority of their democratic ideals and the vitality of their economic system. In an era of globalization and postmodernity, meanwhile, scholarly discuusion of American Exceptionalism among historians, sociologist, political scientists and literary and cultural critics has continued to pursue new directions.