Exceptionalism in US Foreign Policy: A Case Study of ISIS

Abstract

Exceptionalism has been the principal narrative of the United States‘ foreign policy decision-making. It is the set of beliefs and principles that envisages the country‘s uniqueness and superiority over the rest. It has two strands: one being its status as an exemplar state; and the other being God‘s chosen people – the latter being the dominant one. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threatened life, liberty, pursuit of happiness and freedom – far away from the shores of the US. However, with ‗doing God‘s work‘ underpinning its foreign policy dictates – the US mobilised its military forces and spearheaded the campaign to help its Middle Eastern allies in getting rid of ISIS. The article aims to understand the basic tenets of US exceptionalism and the intervening variables which led the country to fight against the ISIS.