American “exceptionalism”

The Economist has an illuminating and at times fascinating survey comparing attitudes in America to those held in Europe:

But America has not become “a more ordinary country”, either in foreign policy or in the domestic arena. Instead, this survey will argue that the attacks of 2001 have increased “American exceptionalism”—a phrase coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in the mid-19th century to describe America's profound differences from other nations. The features that the attacks brought to the surface were already there, but the Bush administration has amplified them. As a result, in the past two years the differences between America and other countries have become more pronounced.

I find the term “exceptional” appropriate since it encompasses both the definition of “deviating from the norm” and “well above average.” The United States now stands as the undisputed leader in the unipolar world, both militarily and economically. So what is it in the American character that makes us preeminent in the world?

The country is exceptional in more profound ways. It is more strongly individualistic than Europe, more patriotic, more religious and culturally more conservative (see chart 1). Al-Qaeda's assaults stimulated two of these deeper characteristics. In the wake of the attacks, expressions of both love of country and love of God spiked. This did not necessarily mean Americans suddenly became more patriotic or religious. Rather, the spike was a reminder of what is important to them. It was like a bolt of lightning, briefly illuminating the landscape but not changing it.

Extra: Jeff Jarvis takes the flip side of the story and tells us not what’s right with America but what’s wrong with Europe.