Exceptionalism

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Overwhelming exception.

Exceptionalism is the perception or belief that a species, country, society, institution, movement, individual, or time period is "exceptional" (i.e., unusual or extraordinary). The term carries the implication, whether or not specified, that the referent is superior in some way.

Although the idea appears to have developed with respect to an era, today it is particularly applied with respect to particular nations or regions.

Other uses of the term include medical and genetic exceptionalism.

History

Further information: Historic recurrence

The German romantic philosopher-historians, especially

élites from somewhere else.[1][2]

Claims of exceptionality have been made for many countries, including the United States, Australia (especially in South Australia

ancient India, along with a wide range of minor kingdoms in history.[11]

Criticism

Belief in exceptionalism can represent erroneous thought analogous to historicism in that it overemphasizes peculiarities in an analysis and ignores or downplays meaningful comparisons [citation needed]. A group may assert exceptionalism in order to exaggerate the appearance of difference, to invoke a wider latitude of action, and to avoid recognition of similarities that would reduce perceived justifications [citation needed]. This can be an example of special pleading, a form of spurious argumentation that ignores relevant bases for meaningful comparisons [citation needed]. Exceptionalism is often based on poor historical knowledge.[12]

Separateness

J. Bradford DeLong has used the term "exceptionalism" to describe the economic growth of post-World War II Western Europe.[13]

Exceptionalism can represent an error analogous to historicism in assuming that only peculiarities are relevant to analysis, while overlooking meaningful comparisons. Political scientist Noritada Matsuda writes, "[W]hat is seemingly exceptional in one country may be found in other countries."[14]

In ideologically-driven debates, a group may assert exceptionalism, with or without the term, in order to exaggerate the appearance of difference, perhaps to create an atmosphere permissive of a wider latitude of action, and to avoid recognition of similarities that would reduce perceived justifications. If unwarranted, this represents an example of special pleading, a form of spurious argumentation that ignores relevant bases for meaningful comparison.[citation needed]

The term "exceptionalism" can imply criticism of a tendency to remain separate from others. For example, the reluctance of the

international treaties is sometimes called "exceptionalist".[15]

Medical exceptionalism

Use of the term "HIV exceptionalism" implies that AIDS is a contagious disease that is or should be treated differently from other contagions[16] or entails benefits not available to those suffering from other diseases.[17][18]

See also

Instances of exceptionalism:

Related terms:

Notes

  1. ^ Royal J. Schmidt, "Cultural Nationalism in Herder", Journal of the History of Ideas, Vol. 17, No. 3 (June 1956), pp. 407–17 in JSTOR
  2. ^ Hans Kohn, "The Paradox of Fichte's Nationalism", Journal of the History of Ideas, Vol. 10, No. 3 (June 1949), pp. 319–43 in JSTOR
  3. ^ C. J. Coventry, "A New Birth of Freedom: South Australia, slavery and exceptionalism," Speech to History Council of South Australia (HCSA) (2020), https://hcommons.org/deposits/item/hc:33351/
  4. ^ "Speeches". www.humanrights.gov.au. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  5. ^ ([email protected]), wehnerj. "Questioning Greek Exceptionalism". www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  6. ^ Dlakavu, Simamkele (24 October 2013). "South Africa IS in 'Africa' - Daily Maverick". Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  7. ^ Raymond Padya, Journalism Editor (October 29, 2013). "South Africa's Worrying Exceptionalism". Iziko Live. Durban University of Technology. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2018. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. S2CID 232178437
    .
  9. ^ du même auteur (2011-01-01). "Becoming Exceptional? American and European Exceptionalism and their Critics: A Review". Cairn.info. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  10. ISBN 9781503631564
    .
  11. ^ See Christopher K. Chase-Dunn, Thomas D. Hall, and E. Susan Manning, "Rise and Fall: East-West Synchronicity and Indic Exceptionalism Reexamined", Social Science History, Volume 24, Number 4, Winter 2000, pp. 727–54 in Project Muse
  12. ^ C. J. Coventry, "A New Birth of Freedom: South Australia, slavery and exceptionalism," Speech to History Council of South Australia (HCSA) (2020), https://hcommons.org/deposits/item/hc:33351/
  13. ^ DeLong, J. Bradford (September 1997). "Post-WWII Western European Exceptionalism: The Economic Dimension". Berkeley: University of California. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  14. ^ Matsuda, Noritada (13 August 2003). "Exceptionalism in Political Science: Japanese Politics, US Politics, and Supposed International Norms". Electronic Journal of Contemporary Japanese Studies. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  15. ^ Park, Jeanne (November 2000). "The New Sovereigntists: American Exceptionalism and Its False Prophets". Foreign Affairs (November/December 2000). Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  16. ^ Hanssens, Catherine (Lambda Legal) (Winter 1997–1998). "Inventing "AIDS Exceptionalism"". TheBody.com. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  17. ^ Sheryl Gay Stolberg (12 November 1997). "New Challenge to Idea That 'AIDS Is Special'". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  18. ISBN 978-0-16-086781-1
    .

References

Further reading

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