Alexis de Tocqueville, the French historian and social observer, visited the United States in the early 1830s and came away knowing it was a nation unlike any other. His Democracy in America (1835) became a landmark in the study of what has become known as American exceptionalism. Scholars and others have been expanding on Tocqueville's observations for the last 180 years. Late last month OTR brought to his readers' attention the story of Daniel Hannan, the Brit who savors America. Today, William Katz, blogger and skilled master of a diversity of trades, notes another "must read" observation on American exceptionalism. This one is by Jonah Goldberg. The theme:Leftist mocking those who believe in the greatness of the U.S. is nothing new. But their bizarre insistence that it is an artifact of right-wing jingoism and xenophobia certainly isn't helping Obama.
Readers will also find the comments interesting. And in addition, Katz's succinct commentary at Urgent Agenda should never be ignored.
Illustration: Alexis de Tocqueville, by the artist, Theodore Chasseraiu, 1850.
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