Can There Be a Progressive Narrative of American Progress?

• In Event: Narratives of American Progress

Abstract

Today, history’s lessons of how Enlightenment notions of progress long served repressive imperialism and how celebrations of national identities have fueled vicious chauvinism appear all too pertinent. The long train of abuses defended through doctrines of American exceptionalism makes those concerns particularly salient for the United States. But motivational political narratives, though always dangerous, are also always necessary. The narrative of American identity and purposes formulated by the anti-slavery constitutionalists, holding that the nation is dedicated to securing enjoyment of the basic rights of the Declaration of Independence for all persons over time, still holds promise for motivating defensible forms of progress.

Author

• Rogers M. Smith, University of Pennsylvania