Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

International Journal of Communication

Volume

8

Issue

22

Publisher

University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Publication Date

1-1-2014

First Page

2416

Last Page

2437

Abstract

This study provides a comparative perspective on the ways U.S. presidents have communicated the idea of American exceptionalism for American and international audiences. I argue that U.S. presidents strategically highlight this culturally potent idea in both domestic and international speeches, but in different ways. To examine these dynamics, I content-analyzed presidential speeches delivered in domestic and foreign contexts since 1933. The study provides comparative perspectives on (a) how themes of American Exceptionalism have been used in domestic versus international speeches and (b) how U.S. presidents seek out diplomatic ways to “translate” American exceptionalism to communicate this potent national idea to foreign audiences.

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