http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/authors/3070/timothy-borjian Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Wed, 20 May 2026 13:17:10 -0400 Wed, 20 May 2026 13:17:10 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1220/the-problems-with-american-exceptionalism By Timothy Borjian - In 2001, German President Johannes Rau made a statement that divided Germany. In an interview with a television station, Rau said that although he is “pleased and grateful” to be German, he cannot be “proud” of it––as “it is not an achievement to be German, [but] just a matter of luck.”1 This statement drew criticism from the opposition in Germany who claimed that without patriotism, it is not possible to adequately represent the interests of the country. Many politicians called for Rau’s resignation or, at the very least, a recant of his words... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1220/the-problems-with-american-exceptionalism