Genre: Nonfiction—History & Politics
Completed: 1 March 2015
Summary & Review:
Libertarian scholar Charles Murray examines the concept of American Exceptionalism: What is it? Has it ever existed? Does it still exist? Is it a good thing or not? In Murray's estimation, yes, American Exceptionalism did exist and it was based on four main components. One, an exceptional setting, i.e. a country separated from the political storms of Europe and Asia with friendly neighbors to the north and south. Not only that, but a large, lightly populated country with incredible natural resources. Two, an exceptional ideology that was based on the famous words Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence wherein all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. Three, the exceptional traits found in the citizenry that included industriousness, religiosity, a highly level of civic engagement, and a nineteenth century egalitarianism. Four, exceptional politics that were free from the snares that trapped many European nations. On these four principles, American Exceptionalism amazed the world from the time of our founding through the first half of the twentieth century. Murray then examines whether or not those traits are still present in modern America, i.e. is America still exceptional? His conclusion? Yes, but not as much as it once was because we have left behind so many of the virtues that once distinguished us.
Murray is an sound scholar and an excellent writer. While this was a very short volume, his arguments were persuasively presented. It almost hurt to read this book though. As he presented evidence of what once made America exceptional, it just highlighted how much we’ve lost. I think a large part of it is due to the change in national immigration policy that occurred in 1965. Since then, basically unchecked legal immigration and the swell of illegal immigration have completely transformed our nation. This process has almost obliterated any sort of cohesive American culture or set of values. My dream would be a moratorium on all immigration for a period. We need time to assimilate who has come and then relearn what it means to be an American.
Rating: 7.0
I have also read and reviewed Murray's Coming Apart (#232) and What it Means to be a Libertarian (#173).
No comments:
Post a Comment