Is the U.S. an exceptional country?

Christine Sim

            The United States of America is constantly revered for its exceptionalism, when in fact; America has a number of flaws that make it as exceptional as any other country. America falls behind many other nations in departments such as education and health. The mere belief of American exceptionalism itself undermines the idea of its singularity, as nationalism is prevalent in any country. Furthermore, the U.S.A. has become a target of abhorrence for other nations due to its widely conceited and unworldly citizens. America may have been unique in the past, but today, the U.S. does not have any particularly exceptional qualities that place it above other countries.

Despite America’s self-proclaimed excellence, the U.S. is severely lacking in education and health care. When it comes to nation-wide education, Canada comes in at first place, while the United States hovers at fourth. The literacy rate in the U.S. falls behind those in North Korea and Cuba, and most high school students in the states receive mediocre test scores in comparison to many European and Asian students. Additionally, sky-high costs for American universities plunge many families into debt. In regards to health care, the U.S. spends more money on health care than any other country in the world.  Regrettably, it fails to give a fair medium ground to its largely unhappy citizens, as the system is based on profit.  As a result, the number of Americans without health care continues to climb each year. America also comes in thirty-eighth place for life expectancy and 173^rd in infant mortality. America only manages to come in first place with the highest obesity rate in the world: a staggering thirty percent.

Another reason why America is no more exceptional than other countries is the fact that it is nationalistic. American exceptionalism is simply a belief that the U.S. is distinguished and superior to other nations. However, such a mindset is extremely common among many different countries, and each country prizes its own achievements. For example, the British believed that it was their responsibility to take up the “White Man’s Burden”, and that they were helping inferior nations through colonization and imperialization. American exceptionalism is no different from British exceptionalism, or even Chinese exceptionalism. China has faced an economic boom that has put it in economic superiority over America, and it has always been the dominant Asian superpower throughout history. Nationalism is prevalent in any country. Rather than making it unique, America’s strong patriotism makes it all the more similar to other developed nations.

Today, the U.S. has become the focus of hatred for many countries around the world. The reason for this is due to many Americans’ lack of knowledge about other cultures and their general hubris. Many students in other countries are proficient in English as a result of mandatory teaching, while many American students are unfamiliar with simple grammar rules. Despite the fact that America’s population is composed of immigrants, the passage of time has allowed newer generations to develop and grow away from their traditional roots. Consequently, the U.S. has deteriorated into an overly-prideful nation. American hubris has also led to prolonged war efforts, such as those in the Vietnam War or the War on Terror. The growing ignorance and arrogance of many Americans has put the U.S. in a position where disapproval by other countries is inevitable.

Although America is currently falling behind the advances of other nations, the idea of American exceptionalism would not exist if it had not been unique at one point in time. America is a country where people come in search of religious freedom, economic opportunities, and the chance to make their dreams a reality. America can certainly be considered unique in certain aspects, and those accomplishments should surely be celebrated. However, all countries take pride in their achievements, and the U.S. does so fervently, though it is lacking in both health and education. Furthermore, newer generations have swayed from their once traditional stems, causing many current American citizens to be unfamiliar with other cultures. The pompous demeanor of most Americans has deteriorated the nation into a largely disliked country. The various flaws of the United States of America make the country just as common as any other nation in the world.