An English political scientist transplanted to America examines the question of American exceptionalism. Is the politics of the U.S. really all that different from politics in other advanced industrial democracies? Does America have more in common with other modern democracies than with its own past?
To answer these questions, Graham K. Wilson selects several major areas of comparison: the size and scope of government, the nature of beliefs about politics and government, subjects of political debate, patterns of public policy, and the character of political institutions. Refuting the traditional theory of path dependency, Wilson's conclusions challenge the reader to question popular beliefs about American politics and consider new interpretations of international political experience.
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Table of Contents
Preface
1. Differnce
Culture
Agendas and the Content of American Politics
Policies
Institutions
Theories of Exceptionalism
Characterizing American Politics
2. Cultural Interpretations of American Politics
Can There Be a Cultural Explanation of Politics?
Ambiguity and Contradiction
Evidence
Civil Liberties
The Crucial Importance or Irrelevance of Culture?
3. The Content of American Politics
Bluff Realism
America's Exceptionalism
Sociological Determinism
New Politics Perspectives
Studying the Political Agenda
Findings
4. The Size of Government
Tax Allowances
Regulation
Areas of Continuing Exceptionalism
The Historical Trajectory
Why Has American Government Grown So Much?
An End to Growth?
5. E Pluribus...?
Cultural Pluralism: A Worldwide Challenge
The American Way
Alternative Forms of Accomodation
The Future of the American Model
Institutions
Characteristics and Practices
Consequences of Fragmentation
Representation
Judicialization
Statelessness
But Is This All So Unusual?
Conclusion
Appendix
Notes
References
Index
Bio(s)
Graham K. Wilson, University of Wisconsin
