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Double-Edged Sword
Seymour Martin Lipset
Layout
INTRODUCTION
Background: book & author
American Exceptionalism: main point
BOOK ANALYSIS
American exceptionalism explanation (Ideology, Politics, Economy,
Religion, Welfare, Socialism)
Exceptions on the margin
Pacific divide American exceptionalism vs. Japanese uniqueness
CONCLUSION AND QUESTIONS
Main point
Lipset argues that the various contradictory aspects of American
society are actually related. The lack of respect for authority,
anti-elitism, and populism contribute to higher crime rates, school
undiscipline, and low electoral turnouts. The emphasis on
achievement, on meritocracy, is also tied to higher levels of
deviant behavior and less support for the underprivileged."
BOOK ANALYSIS
American exceptionalism - explanation
We, the People of the United States source of authority
The American revolution weakened the hierarchically rooted, community
values; it strengthened the individualistic, egalitarian and anti-statist
values instead
Revolutionary libertarian tradition doesnt encourage the obedience to the
state and the low - the highest crime rate and the lowest level of voting
participation (critique: voter registration regulations as the reason)
Being an American is a matter of ideology, not birth
The most religious country in the Christendom; prone to sectarianism
Welfare state?
Low level of support for the poor through welfare, housing and
medical care policies the highest proportion of people living in
poverty among developed nations
Lack of a group-linked sentiment and culture
Critiques: Lipset doesnt take into account the tax subventions in
health care and other areas - an"invisible welfare state"
PACIFIC DIVIDE
www.sodahead.com
SOURCES
LIPSET, Seymour Martin. American Exceptionalism: A DoubleEdged Sword. W. W. Norton & Company (April 17, 1997)
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/jan/12/guardianobituar
ies.usa
http://www.seymourmartinlipset.org/
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/51853/michael-lind/the-a
merican-creed-does-it-matter-should-it-change