The doctrine of US exceptionality: Does the US bear exceptional leadership burden?

[tsuke]

we should be the leader only when it benefits us. I used to love the UN and would have agreed to the US funding it 100%. There was a value in having an "independent international organization" rubber stamp any of our acts so we could declare them moral. But now other countries have learned to use it too, mostly against the US, so im not in favor of being the leader in funding it anymore.

 

[Celticguy]

We are exceptional because we just are. BO did his level best to try and kill that but America prevailed.

 

[christiefan915]

The soldier knows the UCMJ and what the Geneva convention requires and its his ass and his men that are on the line.....

They sure as hell ignored them in the Iraq war, and other wars also.

 

[anatta]

American exceptonalism also means innovation, leadership, GDP...all good things.
It's the neocons that have bastardized the concept to interventionism. we can lead without going to war.

 

[sear]

"American exceptonalism also means innovation, leadership, GDP...all good things." #24

Interesting point.

It's a bit circular in cause and affect.

- Do we have productive leaders & innovators because of our system? - OR -

- Do we have a good system because of talented leadership & innovation?

I realize it's a bit of a yin-yang.

But it does seem odd to me that on a planet infested with over 7 billion humans, a population of ~320 million has such a disproportionate influence.