The 1948 Boy Scout Handbook tells its reader, “You have the greatest heritage ever given to anyone on the face of the earth. Every day you enjoy many things you have done nothing to earn … here are luxuries that you accept as a matter of course.” Today, the overwhelming emergence of the global village and the revisionary reflection of “post-colonial” scholars has deflated much of the patriotism that once thrived unquestioned in America. As the United States celebrates her 220th anniversary of independence, James Michael Johnson defends her position as the greatest nation in the history of the world.
If I were to come up to ten ordinary people on the street and ask, “Do you believe that the United States of America is the greatest nation in the world?” seven of them would probably respond “yes” without hesitation, but the other three would need a moment to think about it.
Seven out of ten is not too bad, but if I were to ask, “Do you believe that the United States of America is the greatest nation in world history?” the numbers would probably be reversed. Only three would say “yes,” and seven would need a moment to think about it.
And why would seven out of ten need a moment to think about it? Probably because throughout their lives they have heard about the great civilizations of history: Rome, Greece, Egypt, Babylon, and Persia. And they would be wondering if perhaps these nations, at their zenith, surpassed the greatness of America today. But such contemplation is unnecessary.
When compared to other nations, the United States is just a baby. But in her brief 220 years of independence, she has done more to advance the world’s health, wealth, and freedom than all other nations in world history combined. Every one of the so called “great” empires of history was built on invasion and sustained by tyranny. Oh sure, each kingdom contributed philosophically and culturally to other nations, but only as they conquered them! And all such “contributions” stemmed from a single motivation: to bring glory to their empire and to their emperor.
The United States, on the other hand, will never be called an empire, for she has no emperor. And she will never be called a kingdom, for she has no king. From the beginning, America has always been governed by her people, not a family or a bloodline or an aristocracy, but a people– a people united, yet as diverse as there are countries of the world.
In the United States, it is the people who rule; the people elect and the people reject; the people choose and the people remove. All power is given to the people. The people, in turn, loan it to those whom they elect as leaders. They evaluate them for a few years, then decide whether they want to keep them as leaders.
In past empires, the royals ruled and the peasants worked; the rich got richer and the poor got poorer; kings got fat and people starved. But in America, there is no royalty and there are no peasants; the rich get rich by earning it, and the poor have a chance to do the same; there is no king — and when you think about it, everybody is fat!
When people are allowed to work as much or as little as they want; when they are allowed to strive for as much or as little wealth as they want; when they are allowed to think and speak freely, supporting or objecting to their leaders as they see fit, they are free. America does not make people poor or homeless or ignorant or depressed. She just gives them the right to fail. America does not make people powerful or rich or famous or happy. She just gives them the opportunity to succeed.
But the United States is more than just a great nation, she is a good nation. Americans do not just provide for themselves, they provide for all people everywhere. For over a century, Americans have blessed the world by leading the way in education, invention, industry, law, medicine, exploration, business, and agriculture. As a people, we have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, employed the poor, welcomed the outsider, educated the ignorant, housed the refugee, defended the weak, and provided for the helpless. And why have we done all these things? So that we may make a name for ourselves? Never! We have always done these things because we have felt that it was our duty as a free people to help those who are less fortunate.
What makes America great? Her freedom. What makes America good? Her people. When good people are given great freedom, they don’t hoard — they give. America will never turn her back on the world because her people are too good. America will never be mediocre because her freedoms are so great.
The French statesman and philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville said, “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great.” He was right. Americans enjoy liberty best when they show charity most. Liberty and charity. Greatness and goodness. In the end, these are the things that really matter; these are the marks of a great nation.
Now if I were to approach you on the street and ask, “Do you believe that the United States of America is the greatest nation in world history?” I hope that you would not respond, “I need a moment to think about it”.
