Exceptionalism

Part of a response...

I cede the pont that there is something exceptional about the united states that is derived in some part from our proud heritage. What I want to know is how should being exceptional inform our actions around the world?

But first I want to address Will's (hi Will, nice to meet you) point about net benefits. I think there is a danger in reducing this analysis to a mathematical expression. On one hand, it's clear that more benefits minus less harm reaps a net benefit for the world. But off the scratch pad, the two sides don't always cancel each other out because the benefit might not ultimately come to the person who is harmed.

For example, what you get when you pay 100 Pauls by robbing 50 Peters is 50 pissed-off Peters. In domestic economic policy that would rightfully be called a coercive redistribution of wealth. Which, as recent protests in America have shown, has a tendency rub people the wrong way.

But the real question is, as exceptionalists, what principles should we undertake and what are the guidelines we need to follow to enact those principles? Bolton starts his piece talking about exceptionalism as a value, but I don't see how he is suggesting it should be applied. In North Korea Obama's lack of action against the regime there is condemned yet his more forceful ascertions in the Israeli-palestinian conflict is also not part of exceptionalism.

Does it mean we go to war to fight for a free press (Russia,China)? Can we seize any assets we believe support despots (Saudi Arabia, Quwait)? Can we remove children from backward cultures to teach them 21st century skills? How much do we really want to support the global citizen's right to bear arms?

Again, I'm not arguing that we not be exceptional, I'm trying to discover what foreign policy principles grow out of it. I have tried to suggest in my comments that a strategic approach would be to lead by example, be exceptional in our actions with other global actors without hiding behind it as a blank check excuse to be bent to every political whim.
Exceptionalism is a capital to be invested wisely, applied judiciously because it's missapplication poisons the well a little bit more each time. It only gives ammunition to our enemies in the global struggle for hearts and minds. And, it let's the other democracies off the hook when it comes time to stand up on principle.

-- Mobile and Free