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American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword
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American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword Hardcover - 1996

by Seymour Martin Lipset


From the publisher

"American values are quite complex," writes Seymour Martin Lipset, "particularly because of paradoxes within our culture that permit pernicious and beneficial social phenomena to arise simultaneously from the same basic beliefs."

Born out of revolution, the United States has always considered itself an exceptional country of citizens unified by an allegiance to a common set of ideals, individualism, anti-statism, populism, and egalitarianism. This ideology, Professor Lipset observes, defines the limits of political debate in the United States and shapes our society.

American Exceptionalism explains why socialism has never taken hold in the United States, why Americans are resistant to absolute quotas as a way to integrate blacks and other minorities, and why American religion and foreign policy have a moralistic, crusading streak.

From the rear cover

In this timely new study, one of our major political analysts, Seymour Martin Lipset, explores the deeply held but often inarticulated beliefs that shape America's society and thought. Is this country in the throes of a revolution from the right? Is it in decline morally? Is Japan about to replace us as the leading economic power? Why does the United States have the highest crime rate, the most persons per capita in prison? Why is our electoral turnout so low? Why are we the most open, socially mobile society and the most unequally developed nation in income distribution? Why is America the most religious country in Christendom? What explains our persistently high rate of opposition to wars and, conversely, our propensity for flag waving and expressions of patriotic enthusiasm? As the 1996 election year begins, Professor Lipset examines the remarkable persistence of an American creed, a double-edged sword that provides both good and bad, offering fresh insights into our culture and its future.

Details

  • Title American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword
  • Author Seymour Martin Lipset
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition [ Edition: First
  • Pages 356
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher W. W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, U.S.A.
  • Date 1996-02-17
  • ISBN 9780393037258 / 0393037258
  • Weight 1.56 lbs (0.71 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.51 x 6.41 x 1.28 in (24.16 x 16.28 x 3.25 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects National characteristics, American, United States - Civilization
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 95006147
  • Dewey Decimal Code 973

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 02/15/1996, Page 986
  • Kirkus Reviews, 12/15/1995, Page 1751
  • New York Times, 02/11/1996, Page 7
  • Publishers Weekly, 02/05/1996, Page 75
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AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM. A Double-Edged Sword.
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