American Exceptionalism Reconsidered: U.S. Foreign Policy, Human Rights, And World Order

173 Pages·2017·2.96 MB·English

by  David P. Forsythe, Patrice C. McMahon

“From the first page until the last, American Exceptionalism Reconsidered will grab
the reader’s attention. I hope that David Forsythe and Patrice McMahon are
correct that the pursuit of U.S. national interests can still be blended with attention
to universal human rights and even an occasional commitment to come to the
rescue of those outside its borders.”
Thomas G. Weiss, Graduate Center of the City University of New York
“Forsythe and McMahon have written an exceptional book on American excep-
tionalism. Against the broad canvas of American history but with a focus on
events since 9/1 1, this intelligent and wide-r anging book shows quite convinc-
ingly what no politician would ever acknowledge: that the U.S. is no better than
any other country. Those seeking an antidote to ‘make America great again’ will
certainly find it here.”
Mark Gibney, University of North Carolina– Asheville
“This fresh analysis of a recurring central theme in U.S. policy brings important
insight to bear on the fate of human rights in a post-h egemonic world. Forsythe
and McMahon’s rigorous analysis of the U.S. record builds the case for a more
nuanced ‘American globalism’ that advances academic understanding and strate-
gies for human rights advocacy.”
Alison Brysk, University of California– Santa Barbara
“The U.S. does not have a unique interest in promoting the good abroad; it is
a normal country blending self- interest with internationalism, nationalism with
cosmopolitanism. Forsythe and McMahon expertly make this case by analyzing
history, policy, and law pertaining to issues like humanitarian intervention, tor-
ture, and corporate regulation. This excellent, readable, and current classroom text
is enlivened by frequent reference to American public opinion and comparison
with other large countries’ foreign policies.”
Rhoda E. Howard- Hassmann, Wilfrid Laurier University
“This book, a searing but thoughtful indictment of the myth of American excep-
tionalism, is an indispensable analysis of a self- identified ‘indispensable’ country. It
exposes double standards in U.S. foreign policy when it comes to the protection
of human rights, while also recognizing that hypocrisy is not reserved just for the
U.S. This excellent book raises profound questions about the ability of human
rights law to affect state behavior, with sometimes-u ncomfortable conclusions. It
notes the paradox that U.S. power has been central to both attempts to protect
human rights and failure to do so.”
Kurt Mills, University of Glasgow
“All those concerned with human rights —as scholars or activists— need to
understand the causes and consequences of U.S. foreign policy. Forsythe and
McMahon provide us with an admirably clear and judiciously balanced account
of the history, present state, and likely future of the U.S. approach to international
human rights. Their nuanced analysis blows away a number of myths that cloud
this important subject.”
Michael Freeman, University of Essex
“For frustrated human rights advocates ‘American exceptionalism’ is about the
U.S. government’s tendency to eschew certain international norms, including
human rights. For some patriots, however, it refers to the notion of the U.S. as a sui
generis flagship of democracy and human rights. This informative book examines
and successfully falsifies the latter view with a thorough study of four major issue
areas. Forsythe and McMahon show that the American public, too, has preferred a
self- serving foreign policy. Raising controversial questions for all U.S. citizens, this
important book will facilitate teaching and learning in classrooms and beyond.”
Zehra F. Kabasakal Arat, University of Connecticut
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

RECONSIDERED
Is the United States really exceptional in terms of its willingness to take universal human
rights seriously? According to the rhetoric of American political leaders, the United States
has a unique and lasting commitment to human rights principles and to a liberal world
order centered on the rule of law and human dignity. But when push comes to shove—
most recently in Libya and Syria— the United States failed to stop atrocities and dithered
as disorder spread in both places. This book takes on the myths surrounding U.S. foreign
policy and the future of world order. Weighing impulses toward parochial nationalism against
the ideal of cosmopolitan internationalism, the authors posit that what may be emerging
is a new brand of American globalism, or a foreign policy that gives primacy to national
self- interest but does so with considerable interest in and genuine attention to universal
human rights and a willingness to suffer and pay for those outside its borders— at least on
occasion. The occasions of exception— such as Libya and Syria— provide case studies for
critical analysis and allow the authors to look to emerging dominant powers, especially
China, for indicators of new challenges to the commitment to universal human rights and
humanitarian affairs in the context of the ongoing clash between liberalism and realism.
The book is guided by four central questions: 1) What is the relationship between
cosmopolitan international standards and narrow national self- interest in U.S. policy on
human rights and humanitarian affairs? 2) What is the role of American public opinion and
does it play any significant part in shaping U.S. policy in this dialectical clash? 3) Beyond
public opinion, what other factors account for the shifting interplay of liberal and realist
inclinations in Washington policy making? 4) In the twenty- first century and as global
power shifts, what are the current views and policies of other countries when it comes to
the application of human rights and humanitarian affairs?
David P. Forsythe is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of
Nebraska– Lincoln.
Patrice C. McMahon is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of
Nebraska– Lincoln.
International Studies Intensives

Series Editors: Shareen Hertel and Michael J. Butler
Series Advisory Board
Robin Broad, American University
A. Cooper Drury, University of Missouri
Natalie Hudson, University of Dayton
Mahmood Monshipouri, San Francisco State University
Javier Morales- Ortiz, Baldwin Wallace University
Anna Ohanyan, Stonehill College
Series Description
International Studies Intensives (ISI) is a book series that springs from the desire to
keep students engaged in the world around them. ISI books pack a lot of infor-
mation into a small space—t hey are meant to offer an intensive introduction to
subjects often left out of the curriculum. ISI books are relatively short, visually
attractive, and affordably priced.
Recent Books in the Series
American Exceptionalism Reconsidered
U.S. Foreign Policy, Human Rights, and World Order
David P. Forsythe and Patrice C. McMahon
U.S. Foreign Policy and the Politics of Apology
Loramy Gerstbauer
The New Warfare
Rethinking Rules for an Unruly World
J. Martin Rochester
Myth and Reality in International Politics
Meeting Global Challenges through Collective Action
Jonathan Wilkenfeld
Development Redefined
How the Market Met its Match
Robin Broad and John Cavanagh
AMERICAN

EXCEPTIONALISM
RECONSIDERED
U.S. Foreign Policy, Human Rights,
and World Order
David P. Forsythe and Patrice C. McMahon
Published 2017
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2017 Taylor & Francis
The right of David P. Forsythe and Patrice C. McMahon to be identified
as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with
sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without
intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data
Names: Forsythe, David P., 1941– author. | McMahon, Patrice C., author.
Title: American exceptionalism reconsidered : US foreign policy, human
rights, and world order / David P. Forsythe, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln ; Patrice C. McMahon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016020613| ISBN 9781138956797 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781138956827 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315665528 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Human rights–Government policy–United States. |
United States–Foreign relations–Moral and ethical aspects. |
United States–Foreign relations–Public opinion. |
Exceptionalism–United States. | World politics–21st century.

Classification: LCC JC599.U5 F67 2016 | DDC 327.73–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016020613
ISBN: 9781138956797 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781138956827 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781315665528 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Out of House Publishing
CONTENTS

List of tables viii

Preface ix

Introduction: The Quest for a Liberalized Realism? 1

1 City on a Hill? American Exceptionalism Past and Present 16

2 Promoting Democracy after the Cold War: Mission Contained 40

3 Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention and the
Responsibility to Protect (R2P) 63

4 U.S. Detention and Interrogation Policies
after 9/ 11/ 2001: A Tortured Evolution 89

5 American Exceptionalism Reined In: The U.S. Supreme
Court, Corporations, and the Kiobel Case 108

6 Hard Times for Human Rights: The Role of Aspiring Powers 124

Conclusion: Liberalized Realism in Today’s World 151

Index 157
TABLES

1.1 Comparison of Poverty Rates, 2009 20
1.2 Life Expectancy, Female Pop. at Birth, 2011 21
1.3 The United States in the World 28
1.4 Public Support for the Use of U.S. Troops 29
1.5 Public Support for U.S. Intervention, December 2010 29
1.6 Public Views on the Use of Force 29
1.7 Public Views on Promoting Democracy 30
1.8 Public’s Policy Priorities 30
1.9 Public Views on Democracy Promotion Abroad 30
1.10 Public Views on American Responsibility for Global Democracy 31
1.11 Comparing Top Policy Priorities 31
1.12 Partisan Gaps over Long- Range Policy Priorities 33
1.13 Public Views on Conflict Resolution 34
1.14 Public Views on Isolationism 34
1.15 Public Views on American Leadership 35
2.1 Priorities and Democracy Promotion 55
2.2 Consistent Long- Term Foreign Policy Goals 56
2.3 U.S. Priorities in the Middle East 57
2.4 Priorities Are at Home 57
2.5 Balancing Civil Liberties and Security 58
3.1 Approval of U.S. Military Actions, 2011 78
3.2 The United States and the World, Problems and Priorities 81
6.1 Country Priorities according to the World Values Surveys, 2010– 2014 143
6.2 Views of China Generally Favorable 144
6.3 Views on China’s Respect for Personal Freedom, 2014 145
PREFACE

This short book takes on the rather large topic of the United States and the
future of world order with regard to the development and implementation of
internationally recognized human rights, including the sister notion of inter-
national humanitarian law. It does so in admittedly critical fashion, suggesting
that Americans’ view of themselves is often undeservedly high—a view that is
sometimes referred to as “American exceptionalism” by proponents and detrac-
tors alike. In this book we consider the extent to which the United States is really
exceptional in terms of its willingness to take universal human rights seriously—
especially when inconvenient. This inquiry comes at a time when many people
have expressed frustration with the yawning gap between human rights law on
the books compared with that law in action. Given recent events in places like
Libya and Syria, but also political developments in Europe and the United States,
it is easy to see why so many people are puzzled by the disparity between claims to
greatness and the continuation of gross violations of human rights. If the United
States and its allies are so great and so committed to human rights, how is it that so
much evil continues in a world supposedly dominated by those very same states?
Readers may be coming to this book in the context of a variety of differ-
ent interests— human rights, U.S. foreign policy, international law, world politics,
or even ethics and politics. No matter what the angle, we hope all readers will
be able to see how all these perspectives and considerations fit together under
the rubric of “American exceptionalism.” Even though we— like certain other
scholars— criticize that notion, we seek to understand how and why the rhetoric
of American exceptionalism keeps reappearing in different contexts. In explain-
ing this, we utilize the distinction between what we call cosmopolitanism and
parochial nationalism. The former idea seeks to blend identification with— and
love of— country with a serious commitment to international standards and for