Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Presidential Studies Quarterly

Volume

48

Issue

2

Publisher

Wiley Online Library

Publication Date

2-1-2018

First Page

1

Last Page

38

Abstract

The idea of American exceptionalism has shaped American politics and captivated audiences for centuries. This study examines the global contexts in which U.S. presidents have invoked the idea of American exceptionalism when addressing foreign audiences since the end of World War II. Our results reveal: (a) differences in how U.S. presidents invoke American exceptionalism when speaking to a global audience (e.g., the United Nations) versus more localized, foreign audiences within individual states; (b) significant variation regarding which countries are more likely to be targets of American exceptionalism in U.S. presidential discourse; and (c) the profound impact that the end of the Cold War had on these dynamics.

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