In this episode, we explore American Exceptionalism, the mythical belief that Americans are meant to provide the example of excellence in humanity to the rest of the world, whether they want it or not, as well as the notion that the normal rules that apply to all other countries do not apply to us, because we are some how special.
We explore the effects that this ideology has on not only our self-image as a people, but also how it affects our political behavior, both domestically and internationally. We also discuss the sources of that belief, and the ways it perpetuates itself in our national conscience.
Recommended Reading:
Founding Myths by Ray Raphael
The People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen
The Myth of American Exceptionalism - Stephen M. Walt (from the periodical Foreign Policy)
Songs played during this Episode
1. Bruce Springsteen- "Born in the U.S.A."
2. The Descendants- "'Merican"
3. Billy Joel- "Allentown"
4. Brother Ali- "Mourning in America"
Beds utilized in this Episode
* King Dubby- "Searching the Dub" (segment)
* Wicked Dub Division- "Sinking Sand Dub" (segment)
Production elements used in this Episode (no samples cleared)
* Victor Allen (Voice)
* Stacy Duffy (Voice)
* Downhill Battle.org- "Leonard Peltier PSA"