American exceptionalism

The earliest mention of a unique character of American democracy can be found in the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville, a 19th century French historian and political scientist.

Founded on European cultures and civilizations substrate the American example is indeed unique in its era. At the level of civilization the political structure maintained itself stable for 250 years. At the level of culture America is an open structure that in the past 50 years created a business model with a global appeal and reach.

American exceptionalism is put to the test lately by how this culture will adapt to changes generated by artificial intelligence. In this respect, American culture finds itself at a crossroads. So does its business model.

At the civilization level we have the political structure which was fixed and stable for 250 years now, and also more evolving but continuously vigorous economic models; at the cultural level we had a protean, so called at a time, “melting pot”. Today this melting pot metaphor has been replaced by a kaleidoscope metaphor and the question to ask is if this mirrors a larger phenomenon of globalization and one world. In favor of this argument are the figures of the unprecedented planetary migration.

So from this perspective can we say that America with its 250 years of continuous evolving makes the transition to a new civilization and cultural model?!

The reality check is whether American exceptionalism can deliver the world a new civilization and cultural model, that is, a self-regulating democracy, even a paradigm shift.

(I think that the greatest task of present generations is to restore the world’s trust in the American dream.)

Elena Malec, California 2/8/2026