The discourse of exceptionalism and U.S. grand strategy, 1946–2009
Journal: London School of Economics and Political Science Theses Online (London School of Economics and Political Science)
Year: 2012

This thesis argues that American exceptionalism is a necessary, but insufficient,&#13;\nway of reading U.S. foreign policy. Exceptionalism is employed by different&#13;\nideologists in different ways and in differing contexts. This thesis employs the&#13;\ncontextualist methodology of Quentin Skinner to challenge proleptic, static&#13;\nunderstandings of American exceptionalism and, in doing so, uncovers American&#13;\ngrand strategy as a keenly contested ideological battleground. In each consti