Lipset American Exceptionalism (1996)

The term "American Exceptionalism" (AE) was coined by Tocqueville and was extensively noted in much of the "foreign-traveler" literature of the 19th century in which foreign visitors to the US compared and contrasted what they saw to the native countries. AE refers not to a moral or other superiority, but rather to the qualitatively different, distinctly American qualities. The term refers to the uniqueness of America as summarized in the elements of the American Creed: liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, laissez-faire.

Lipset argues that AE results from the historical past in the US, namely the prevalence of "congregational sects" as opposed to "hierarchical churches" characteristic of some European nations.

Congregational Sects

- assume the perfectibility of human nature and produce a moralistic people (this is the reason, Lipset argues, that Americans will only support a moralistic, righteous war.)

- strengthened by individualism

- meritocratic

- anti-statist

Hierarchical Churches

- hierarchy mediates the relationship with God

- Since the church is linked the State it can assure obedience and support for its actions

The issue of AE is often paraphrased in the question: Why is there no socialist movement/party in the US? Lipset's answer to this query is that ethnic diversity in the US promotes hostility among different groups who are unable to combine forces for their common benefit.

AE is a "double-edged sword". For example, America is simultaneously the most religious, optimistic, patriotic and individualistic while also having the highest crime rates, being the most litigious, having the lowest voter turnout, yet the highest membership in voluntary organizations.