Informed 8/26/21

 


8/26/21
File Under;
"I didn't know that! Discussing hot-topic issues from an informed position"
I've attached a link to a real handy paper to have on hand of back grounding information on key aspects of the American World View and how and why they see things the way they do. It's title is, "Is The United States Exceptional?" It was written (and I may not get this exactly right) for foreign audiences, primarily Central and S. American whose jobs have them interfacing with Americans. In it's author's own words, "...This essay is meant as a comprehensive introductory overview from an empirical comparative politics and society standpoint. Many links to a wealth of high-quality cost-free online sources in English are offered to assist interested persons who wish to analyze further some aspects of the contemporary situation of the United States in a comparative context."
It was written by Wayne A. Selcher, Ph.D. who is is Professor of International Studies Emeritus, Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Legal Studies, Elizabethtown College, PA, USA. His major academic interests are Comparative Politics, US Foreign Policy, Latin American Politics and Foreign Policy (especially Brazil), and Internet use in international studies teaching and research. He is the creator and editor of the WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources, a web guide for online international studies research in many topics. I had Dr. Selcher as one of my professors when I attended Elizabethtown college in the '70's and we have stayed in touch over the years.
Although Dr. Selcher, wrote this for a different audience than people who read my posts, I found the paper an excellent source information on a multitude of aspects of American's worldview we (as Americans) don't give much thought to, but do not hesitate to argue about passionately. Lastly, Dr. Selcher has about a million links to data bases, research articles and surveys done by reputable pollsters.
Here's a list of subjects covered;
The Concept of Exceptionalism in National History
History of the Concept of “Exceptionalism”
Interpretations of American History and World Role
Major U.S. Differences from Other Industrial Democracies—The American Outlier
Using Empirical Evidence in Comparison
1 Different Historical Formation
2 More Limited Government
3 Strong Individualism
4 Voting
5 Rejection of Socialism
6 Lower Tax Rates for the Wealthy and Corporations
7 Regarding its economy
8 Social Mobility
9 Health Care
10 Race and Ethnic Relations
11 Religiosity
12 Civilian Ownership of Firearms
13 Incarceration and Capital Punishment
14 Military Spending
15 Foreign Aid
Current Challenges to the American Self-image and Role in the World: National Self-Confidence in Decline?
Threats to National Unity and Social Peace
Trends in National Pride, Trust, and Satisfaction
Changing Political Culture and National Image Overseas
Here's the link;

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