10th SAAS CONFERENCE

“The Backyard of the U.S. Mansion: Critical readings of poverty and wealth in the United States”

Alcalá de Henares (Madrid).  April 14-16, 2011

 

14) ‘God Shed His Grace on Thee’: Exceptionalism and its Implications for Economics and Class in the United States

Panel Chair: Michael A. Rockland
Institution: Rutgers University
E-mail: rockland@rci.rutgers.edu

On February 6, 2010 Sarah Palin, the former vice presidential candidate of the Republican Party, commenting on America's current economic problems, said: "It would be wise for us to start seeking some divine intervention again in this country so that we can be safe and secure and prosperous." The statement as a whole is indicative, but the word "again" especially so. It suggests that the deity has often, if not always "chosen" the United States for preferred treatment. This panel will examine the influence of American exceptionalism in creating the myths of a classless and universally affluent society. I will speak on the subject briefly by way of a general introduction and the paper proposals should address the following topics:

- Discussions of one or more of the new books on American exceptionalism, Hodgson and Pease, for  
  example.

- Exceptionalism in the George W. Bush administration's unilateralism with possible reflections on  
  how exceptionalism may or may not be playing out in Obama's multilateral approach.

- Exceptionalism in American literature, especially in the works of such writers as Herman Melville.

- Exceptionalism as a central theme in American history—e.g. The Augustinian notion embraced by
  the Puritans of creating "A City on the Hill," the concept of "Manifest Destiny," etc.

- Exceptionalism as a universal theme of nations and religions--not at all peculiar to or restricted to  
  the United States

 

10th INTERNATIONAL SAAS CONFERENCE
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 14-16 April 2011

THE BACKYARD OF THE U.S.A. MANSION: Critical Readings of Poverty and Wealth in the United States

Name:

Academic Affiliation:

E-mail:

Title of Proposal:

Panel:

Special requirements, if any:

Abstract (400-600 words):

Please, complete this form and send it, in electronic format (via e-mail), to the Chair of your selected panel. Deadline for sending proposals is October 29, 2010.