‘American Exceptionalism’ on the Line After Capitol Hill Stormed
- Potential blow seen to U.S. soft power and global authority
- A more humble Biden administration could have advantages, too
U.S. democracy survived the storming of the Capitol building. What has come to be known as American exceptionalism may not.
The idea that the U.S. for reasons of its history and seemingly rock-solid democratic institutions is uniquely advantaged has long rested behind American claims to global leadership, as well as the expectation -- at least among allies -- that it should exercise it.
The concept is riddled with contradictions, underpinned by crude military and economic strength and rejected by many including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and America’s outgoing leader Donald Trump, who directed his supporters to Capitol Hill to protest certification of his election defeat -- by 7 million votes -- in November.
While it has eroded over the years, the soft power of what former President Ronald Reagan liked to call “a shining city on a hill” has at times been powerful. On Wednesday it suffered a body blow.