The insistence that the United States of America is an exceptional country is widespread, particularly and unsurprisingly in America. Given the country's economical and social history, the suggestion that the country is indeed fundamentally different from other nations can not be easily discredited. Many factors contribute to this idea and recent political developments, most notably the impressive comeback of the Republican Party in the 2010 elections, indicate that a majority of Americans disapprove of a political approach that would move the country toward a larger size of federal government, European-style socialism and an apologetic foreign policy.
The work of the late sociologist Norbert Elias is particularly relevant when American Exceptionalism is concerned. Elias examined the historical and social evolution of nations, a development which he called the Civilizing Process. He also focused on established-outsider relations and their underlying social dynamics and the friction that arises in communities with an established group and the outcast. In the case of the United States, one can easily detect patterns that bring to mind this part of Elias's work; the discrimination of ethnic or religious groups like native Americans, African-Americans and others (“No Irish need apply”).
The aim of this paper is to evaluate Elias's theories in the context of American Exceptionalism. The question of whether the American Civilizing Process is in line with Elias's observations or constitutes a unique phenomenon within human history has to be addressed just as well as the depiction of established-outsider relations that he deals with in his essay on Harper Lee's novel “How to Kill a Mockingbird”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The "Maycomb model" and the uneven distribution of power
3. Libertarianism and the American Constitution
4. Diversity and American society
5. The role of self-esteem and xenophobia
6. Separation of church and state
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper evaluates the sociological theories of Norbert Elias, specifically his work on the "Civilizing Process" and "established-outsider relations," within the context of American Exceptionalism and the narrative of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
- Analysis of established-outsider social dynamics in the American South.
- The impact of American libertarianism on federal power and civilizing processes.
- The relationship between population diversity and national solidarity.
- The influence of the American constitutional framework on individual liberty versus state intervention.
Excerpt from the Book
One of the special characteristics of the “Maycomb model” is the uneven distribution of power, most notably in the accessibility of firearms. While the blacks were barred from owning them, the white community was not constrained in wielding the weapons and the power that comes with them. Thus, one of the distinct features of American libertarianism, the ownership of guns, fueled the relentlessness of segregation by compromising the federal government's monopoly of power that Elias describes as a main engine for the progression of a civilization in his study of the Civilizing Process.
The special role that individual liberty plays in the concept of America could therefore be seen as having aggravated segregation. If the federal government had accumulated more power in its own hands and had retained the exclusive right of access to firearms, the law might have been counted on to protect minorities in a more effective way. By leaving much of governmental power on the state and local level, which can also be seen as part of American Exceptionalism, the USA had been unable to extend its central power to the more remote areas as a means of easing established-outsiders tensions. However, one might also argue that equilibrating the status of whites and blacks could also be achieved by taking an even more libertarian approach to gun-control, banning any sort of regulation of the matter and thereby enabling blacks to bear arms as well instead of stripping them from the whites, which would have been a futile endeavor given the high circulation of firearms in the US.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the motivation for the study, focusing on the debate surrounding American Exceptionalism and introducing Norbert Elias’s theoretical framework.
2. The "Maycomb model" and the uneven distribution of power: This section examines how power imbalances, particularly regarding firearm access, shaped social segregation in the setting of Harper Lee's novel.
3. Libertarianism and the American Constitution: This chapter discusses how constitutional restrictions on federal power fundamentally altered the "civilizing process" in the United States compared to European models.
4. Diversity and American society: This part analyzes how the heterogeneous nature of the American population impacts national solidarity and hampers the transfer of power to higher levels of government.
5. The role of self-esteem and xenophobia: This chapter explores the correlation between the insecurity of established groups and the intensity of stigmatization against outsiders.
6. Separation of church and state: This section discusses how the lack of state regulation of religion fostered local community reliance, further distancing social dynamics from pan-national influence.
7. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the arguments, noting that while the American civilizing process was slowed by constitutional constraints, it served to protect individual liberty against potential collectivist ideologies.
Keywords
American Exceptionalism, Norbert Elias, Civilizing Process, established-outsider relations, To Kill a Mockingbird, libertarianism, segregation, federal government, power distribution, individualism, constitutional law, social dynamics, heterogeneity, welfare state, Tom Robinson.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper investigates the applicability of Norbert Elias’s sociological theories, specifically the "Civilizing Process" and "established-outsider relations," to the historical and cultural phenomenon of American Exceptionalism.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
The main themes include the structural impact of libertarianism on the American state, the consequences of social and ethnic diversity, and how community power dynamics in the American South mirror Elias’s theoretical models.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks whether the American Civilizing Process aligns with Elias's observations of power accumulation in central governments or if it constitutes a unique historical phenomenon due to its emphasis on individual liberty.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach, applying established sociological theories to a literary analysis of Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" and contrasting these findings with historical political developments.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the distribution of power (gun ownership), the constitutional limitations of the federal government, the role of economic and social diversity, and the impact of the separation of church and state on social cohesion.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include American Exceptionalism, Norbert Elias, the Civilizing Process, established-outsider relations, and libertarianism.
How does the "Maycomb model" influence the author's argument regarding gun control?
The author suggests that the uneven access to firearms in Maycomb highlights how the absence of a federal monopoly on force, typical of American libertarianism, allowed local segregation to persist longer than it might have under a more centralized government.
In what way does the author contrast American development with European nation-states?
The author argues that while European states moved toward homogeneity and collectivism through centralized power, the United States maintained heterogeneity, which acted as a catalyst for individualism over collectivism.
Does the author conclude that American Exceptionalism is positive or negative?
The author concludes that while these exceptional elements contributed to social friction and delayed civilizing milestones in places like Maycomb, they also served the vital purpose of preventing the compromise of individual liberty by the state.
- Quote paper
- Moritz Mücke (Author), 2011, The Debate on American Exceptionalism. Norbert Elias' "Further aspects of established-outsider relations: the Maycomb model" and "Synopsis: Towards a Theory of Civilzing Processes", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179707
