The End of Exceptionalism

There are areas where Americans—or at least the American right—cherishes the notion that we are exceptional. We sometimes think that we alone believe that "sometimes military force is necessary to maintain order in the world." Some 77 percent of Americans polled agreed. As did 90 percent of Indians, 74 percent of Turks and Indonesians, 80 percent of Kuwaitis, 75 percent of Swedes and 73 percent of Italians. We have a unique skepticism about government, right? Well, many others have acquired it too: 65 percent of Americans say that the government has too much power, as do the same number of French and many more Germans. Two out of three Americans believe in protecting the environment even if it slows economic growth. The number is about the same for the French and the Japanese.

The most startling aspect here is the trend. The United States has had the biggest drop in support for trade among all countries surveyed since 2002. On some of the other issues—like immigration—the data suggest that American attitudes have shifted even more sharply. All of this points to a stunning lack of political leadership.

Foreign companies and foreigners—as well as expanding trade, travel and markets—are all going to be a large part of the 21st century. Look around. If you update the current ranking of the 10 richest people in the world, you will find that eight of them are now non-Americans and every one is an entrepreneur. The natives have gotten very good at capitalism.

The task of our political leaders is to make Americans understand this new world and explain how the United States has thrived and will continue to thrive in it. They should be equipping Americans to compete in the world rather than blaming others and turning inward. Instead, the Republican presidential contenders fan fears about foreigners and immigrants. The Democrats demonize free trade. And the American public gets more and more spooked and less and less prepared for the world we're entering.

© 2007