| 释义 |
exceptionalism, n. Pol.|ɛkˈsɛpʃənəlɪz(ə)m|
[f. exceptional a. + -ism.]
The theory that the peaceful capitalism of the United States constitutes an exception to the general economic laws governing national historical development, and esp. to the Marxist law of the inevitability of violent class warfare; more generally, the belief that something is exceptional in relation to others of the same kind; loosely, exceptional quality or character.
[1928J. Lovestone in Communist Nov. 660 We are now in the period of decisive clashes between socialist reformism and communism for the leadership of the majority of the working class. This is in all countries of high capitalist development with the exception of the United States where we have specific conditions.] 1929Brouder & Zack in Daily Worker (N.Y.) 29 Jan. 3/2 This American ‘exceptionalism’ applies to the whole tactical line of the C.I. as applied to America. (This theory pervades all the writings and speeches of the Lovestone–Pepper group up until the present.) 1945Political Affairs July 603/2 When we argued against Jay Lovestone, who was expelled from our ranks years ago, we pointed out that Lovestone..put forth his theories of exceptionalism because he was influenced by the exaggerated strength of American imperialism. 1957E. R. Browder Karl Marx & Amer. iii. 29 The exceptionalism of America is one of concrete historical conditions, but not of laws and principles of economic development. 1977K. Minogue in J. Abse My LSE 166 The treatment of British politics was still heavily permeated with self-congratulation, amounting virtually to a theory of British exceptionalism. 1983Times Lit. Suppl. 9 Dec. 1369/1 St Basil's is, in fact, more symmetrical and ‘rational’..than advocates of exotic Russian exceptionalism have been inclined to admit. 1984Ibid. 25 May 592/1 Historians in the United States were for a long time understandably concerned with celebrating the special character of a country which..drew much of its confidence from a belief in American exceptionalism. |