American exceptionalism : the origins, history, and future of the nation's greatest strength

Introduction: The Magnetism of Exceptionalism, Charles W. Dunn Old Wine in New Wine Skins The Silver Thread of Debating the Magnetism of Exceptionalism. PART I: The History of 1. The Origins and Character of Exceptionalism, James W. Ceaser An Exceptional War: Liberals versus Conservatives Exceptional Objections. Defining Exceptionalism (or Redefining It for Some) Anti-Exceptionalism: Declinism The Mission Expressed Through History Separating the Matrix of Thoughts in America's Mission Conclusion. 2. The Varieties of Exceptionalism, Hugh Heclo A Brief History of the Term American Framing Our Identity of Condition of Mission of Character. PART II: The Foundations of 3. The City on a Hill: Life in a Morally Demanding Place, Hadley Arkes The Moral Truth: We are to be Governed by Our Own Consent The Moral Character Defines a Citizen Which to Use: The Obvious Moral Basis or The Commerce Clause? Conclusion. 4. A Peculiar People in Israel, Daniel L. Dreisbach Beginning America's Sacred Mission Two Views about the Colonists' Beliefs Divine Providence in Early Political Thought A Chosen, Elect, and Covenanted People Christian Hebraism in Early Political Discourse America: God's New Israel? The Founders and Ancient Israel's Governmental Model Conclusion. PART III: The Challenges to 5. Taking Exception to Exceptionalism, T. David Gordon The Religious Idea of (and why I oppose it) Historical Considerations Theological Considerations The Secular Idea of (and why I disapprove it also, though less zealously) Is America Still Exceptional? Probably not. Should America Strive to be Exceptional (Probably not). 6. Is a Myth?, William Kristol The Declaration of Independence: Un-exceptionally The Federalist Papers: Unexceptional and Exceptional Gettysburg Address: Universal Principle and Special Responsibility The Patriotism of Universal Principles The Burden of Exceptionalism. PART IV: The Future of 7. Ronald Reagan's Vision of America, George H. Nash The Colonial Perspective More Recent Perspectives Reagan and Reagan's Oration on Reagan Addresses Foes of Reagan's v. LBJ and Academic Elitism Reagan's Addition to Freedom and Destiny: The Underpinnings of Reagan's Vision Remember Our History or Lose Our Liberty Reagan and the YouTube Generation. 8. Killing the Lone Ranger: and the Western, Marvin J. Folkertsma The Code: Through the Western Lens Plunging into a New Frontier From East to West: Let the Best Man Win Americans Are the Good Guys Exceptionalism: Riding Off Into the Sunset? 9. Restoring Reaganesque in Politics, Michael Barone A Burden of Responsibility, Not a Position of Privilege The Influence of the Glorious Revolution Opposing Hegemonic Tyrannies A Renaissance Time-Traveler. 10. Back to the Future: Ronald Reagan's Exceptionalism, Steven Hayward Reagan's Body-Snatching Project The Tale of the Tape Constitutionalism and Original Intent The Constitution and the Making of Citizens.