The Research Paper Is The Final Graded Instrument For POLS49

The research paper is the final graded instrument for POLS497

The research paper is the final graded instrument for POLS497. It should be between 15-25 pages (words) in length. Your paper topic should be approved by the instructor. Your topic should be related to American politics. The tighter and more focused your topic is, the better your paper will be and the easier it will be to write. (Please re-read that.)

YOU CHOSE AMERICAN IDEOLOGY. This topic is approved by the professor so please do not change it. Use Turabian format (author date, page #). Use more than five sources. These were sources you’ve used, be sure to use them again in addition to more:

• Lipset, Seymour Martin. “American Exceptionalism: A Double Edge Sword.” The Washington Post. Last modified 1996. Accessed November 24, 2015.
• McClay, Wilfred M. “The Founding of Nations.” First Things. Last modified March 2006. Accessed November 24, 2015.
• Zinn, Howard. “The Power and the Glory.” Boston Review, June 1, 2005. Accessed November 24, 2015.

Paper For Above instruction

American ideology has played a profound role in shaping the nation's identity, political culture, and policy directions. Understanding its complexities and variations provides crucial insights into the American political landscape and the unique character that differentiates the United States from other nations.

This paper endeavors to explore the concept of American ideology, its historical evolution, core principles, and its current manifestations. The focus will be on how American exceptionalism and belief in individualism both reflect and influence political behavior, policy-making, and societal values. The analysis includes the intellectual foundations laid by prominent scholars, like Seymour Martin Lipset, Howard Zinn, and Wilfred M. McClay, and examines their perspectives within the broader narrative of American ideological development.

Historical Foundations of American Ideology

The roots of American ideology trace back to the founding principles of liberty, equality, and democracy, enshrined in documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Seymour Lipset’s work, “American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword,” emphasizes how this sense of uniqueness fosters national pride but also engenders a resistance to external critique and change (Lipset 1996). Lipset argues that this exceptionalism manifests in a belief that America has a special role in global affairs, which influences foreign policy and domestic policies, often supporting interventionist tendencies.

Wilfred McClay, in “The Founding of Nations,” complements this perspective by examining how the moral and philosophical inheritances from Enlightenment thinkers, combined with the national character shaped during the Revolutionary era, created a collective identity rooted in individual rights and civic virtue (McClay 2006). These foundational elements continue to underpin core American values, though their interpretation and implementation have evolved over time.

Core Principles of American Ideology

At the heart of American ideology lies an emphasis on individualism, freedom, and opportunity. Howard Zinn’s “The Power and the Glory” offers a critical perspective by highlighting how these ideals have often been accompanied by contradictions, such as systemic inequality and marginalization (Zinn 2005). Zinn critiques the notion that America is entirely exceptional, pointing to historical instances where the pursuit of liberty was entangled with oppressive practices, including slavery and racial discrimination.

Nevertheless, the enduring belief in self-reliance and upward mobility continues to influence political discourse and citizen behavior. The idea that individuals can shape their destiny underscores the American Dream and sustains support for policies promoting entrepreneurship, education, and personal responsibility.

American Exceptionalism and Its Contemporary Forms

The concept of American exceptionalism remains central, with variations in how it is perceived across different political spectra. Conservative ideologies often emphasize American exceptionalism as justification for a proactive foreign policy, military interventions, and a unique national mission. Conversely, progressive perspectives tend to critique or reinterpret exceptionalism, associating it with imperialism and global dominance (Lipset 1996; Zinn 2005).

In the 21st century, debates around American ideology are shaped by issues such as globalization, economic inequality, and cultural pluralism. The tension between maintaining national uniqueness and embracing global interconnectedness underscores ongoing ideological struggles in defining what it means to be American today.

Implications for Political Culture and Policy

American ideology influences voting behavior, political participation, and policy priorities. The emphasis on individual rights and limited government fuels support for free-market policies and resistance to expansive government intervention. However, the recognition of systemic inequalities has prompted calls for reforms aimed at social justice, healthcare, and education.

Moreover, the ideological divide concerning America’s role in the world impacts foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding military interventions and international cooperation. Understanding these ideological underpinnings is vital for analyzing contemporary political debates and governance strategies.

Conclusion

American ideology remains a dynamic and often contested terrain. Its historical roots, core principles, and evolving interpretations continue to shape the nation’s political identity and policy choices. Recognizing the tensions between exceptionalism and equality, individualism and community, domestic interests and international responsibilities, offers valuable insights into the nature of American democracy.

Future scholarship and political discourse must consider how these deeply embedded values will adapt to the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape while maintaining the core ideals that define American identity.

References

• Lipset, Seymour Martin. 1996. “American Exceptionalism: A Double Edge Sword.” The Washington Post.
• McClay, Wilfred M. 2006. “The Founding of Nations.” First Things.
• Zinn, Howard. 2005. “The Power and the Glory.” Boston Review.
• Bellah, Robert N. 1986. Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. University of California Press.
• Fukuyama, Francis. 1992. The End of History and the Last Man. Free Press.
• Putnam, Robert D. 2000. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
• Dionne, E.J., and John S. Lewis. 2001. Stand Up Fight Back: Republican Resurgence and the Future of American Politics. Beacon Press.
• Huntington, Samuel P. 1996. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Simon & Schuster.
• Mead, Walter Russell. 2004. The American Narrative and the End of History. Political Science Quarterly.
• Nye, Joseph S. 2004. Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. Public Affairs.