10 Reasons Why America Truly Is Exceptional
4. America has a unique role in the defense of human rights
American Exceptionalism is based upon five pillars: Common Law and human rights, Democratic Republicanism, Protestant morality and work ethic, free-market capitalism, and the sanctity of private property.
The entire history of the United States was an ongoing story of varied groups of people fighting for and achieving more and more rights. From the Puritans who found religious freedom on these shores, to the Colonists who won their independence from a tyrannical government, to the freed Black slaves, to women, Native Indians, non-European immigrants and other minority groups– this country has symbolized constant progress in the expansion of civil rights.
On the global stage, the United States remains the only superpower capable, and at times willing, to commit real resources and make real sacrifices to build, sustain, and drive a system committed to international law, democracy, and the promotion of human rights. Experience teaches that when the United States leads on human rights, other countries follow.
In the United States, man has constantly strived to create a society that would be the best and the happiest in the world. The United States is in many ways the supreme demonstration of democracy. But the Union does not exist just to make people free in America. America’s role and a greater mission is to make people free everywhere. By the mere force of its example America has strived to bring democracy to an undemocratic world.
