What question did this study set out to answer?

This response analyzes the concept of American exceptionalism through a historical lens, addressing its glorification and simplification.

May 28, 2026

Inventing Our Myths: A Response to Thomas Massaro

Key Points

This response analyzes the concept of American exceptionalism through a historical lens, addressing its glorification and simplification.
Critically examines the writings of Thomas Massaro on American exceptionalism.
Discusses the historical and contextual aspects of the American identity.
Integrates Catholic social ethics into the conversation on American exceptionalism.
Argues that American exceptionalism should recognize its historical complexities and limitations.
Suggests that a renewal of American exceptionalism requires an understanding of its historical context.
Highlights the need for Catholic social ethics to play a role in redefining American values.

Abstract

The idea of American exceptionalism has been present through much of American history. But the idea is often abstracted: The character and purpose of the United States are rendered as timeless and glorified attributes apart from the sinfulness and limits of history. In this response to Thomas Massaro’s essay, I examine the historicized nature of the idea in both a spirit of criticism and construction. If Catholic social ethics is to contribute to a renewal of the idea of American exceptionalism, it must do so in an historicized and contextual key.

اسأل الذكاء الاصطناعي

Bookmark