Debating American Exceptionalism - Empire and Democracy in the Wake of the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War focused not only on foreign policy, but also on the nation's very essence and purpose. At the heart of this debate was a consensus on American nationalism. This book explains why the belief in exceptionalism still serves as the basis of American nationalism and foreign policy even in spite of more recent military failures.

List of contents

Democracy and Freedom Abroad  Democracy and Exclusion: The Issue of Race  Roads to Utopia: Exceptionalism, Mission, and Principles  Democracy at Home: Democratic Sanction for Foreign Policy  What is America?  Doomsday Scenarios  The Right to Dissent and the Meaning of Patriotism

About the author

Fabian Hilfrich is Lecturer for American History at the University of Edinburgh.

Summary

The Spanish-American War focused not only on foreign policy, but also on the nation's very essence and purpose. At the heart of this debate was a consensus on American nationalism. This book explains why the belief in exceptionalism still serves as the basis of American nationalism and foreign policy even in spite of more recent military failures.

Additional text

"This first-rate account focuses on the debate over the Philippines just after the Spanish-American War, examining the arguments, pro and con, concerning US imperialism. The book is particularly strong on matters of definition and organization. Highly recommended." - CHOICE

Report

"This first-rate account focuses on the debate over the Philippines just after the Spanish-American War, examining the arguments, pro and con, concerning US imperialism. The book is particularly strong on matters of definition and organization. Highly recommended." - CHOICE

Product details

• Authors: F Hilfrich, F. Hilfrich, Fabian Hilfrich
• Publisher: Palgrave UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 26.07.2012
• EAN: 9781349352111
• ISBN: 978-1-349-35211-1
• No. of pages: 292
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; B, History, European History, Political History, History: specific events and topics, Asian History, History of the Americas, World Politics, Political science and theory, History, Modern, Palgrave History Collection, Modern History, America—History, United States—History, US History, Asia—History, democracy;empire;foreign policy;liberty