The belief in American exceptionalism is dying faster among liberals
Why? And what does it mean?
In a piece in the Atlantic today, I explore how the belief in American exceptionalism has changed among high school seniors.
Since 1976, the nationally representative Monitoring the Future survey has asked U.S. 12th graders a series of questions about American government. For example, they are asked if they agree or disagree with the statement “Despite its many faults, our system of doing things is still the best in the world,” one version of a belief in American exceptionalism. Agreement with this statement has plummeted over the generations, with the decline especially large among liberals.
Since the graph couldn’t be included in the Atlantic piece, I’m posting it here so you can see the trends for yourself:
Figure: Percent of U.S. 12th graders who agree “Despite its many faults, our system of doing things is still the best in the world,” by political ideology. Source: Monitoring the Future. Analysis by Jean M. Twenge for the Atlantic and the Generation Tech Substack.
In the Atlantic piece, I explore the questions that arise from this trend, including why it occurred and what it might mean for the country’s political future.
Few things drive me batty like people who complain or criticize without offering an alternative. I am curious to know what country these 12th graders would offer as a replacement.