Summary of The Idea that Is America: Keeping Faith with Our Values in a Dangerous World – Anne-Marie Slaughter

f we want to return to an America that stands as a beacon spreading light to other nations, we must return to our core values of liberty, democracy, equality, justice, tolerance, humility, and faith.

Many Americans view the value of faith in terms of their religious faith, but the faith that makes up the idea of America is more than a faith in God. It is faith in humanity’s ability to cultivate their own virtues, shape their world, and devise institutions to govern themselves.

Americans have a desire to be humble, but we have a reputation for being arrogant; especially in how we deal with the rest of the world. We are quick to point out the failings of other countries, but painfully slow to recognize our own. Most of the world sees our lack of humility as hypocrisy and are not motivated to follow us. We cannot lead by coercion for long. Showing humility will allow us to establish our ability to lead, not through power, but through the consent and request of other nations.

Tolerance is not about harmony or agreement. It is about a necessary coexistence. We must make it clear that we will not tolerate terrorism itself, but support all Muslims’ freedom to celebrate their own faith.

nstead of focusing only on our position on Islam, these dialogues allow us to listen, engage, and respond to others. We can help people reclaim their hope and dignity, which they feel the West has stolen from them.

Injustice can destroy liberty as surely and swiftly as any tyrant can.

he Millennium Summit of the UN in 2000, attended by 189 nations, proved that this birthright is achievable by setting clear and concise goals.
The progress on these goals has been mixed. America can retain its strength on equality if we commit to do more. Only 0.1% of our GDP goes to official development assistance. If we could raise this number and then encourage other countries to do the same, we would be taking the lead in an initiative vital to everyone’s interests. This would be a good start in America representing not just the land of opportunity, but the world of opportunity.

Because of that, while we should do what we can, in accordance with other nations, to ensure all individuals have an opportunity for a better life, we must recognize the equal rights of all nations to take charge of their own governments in the interest of the individual rights of their citizens.

Our Constitution is not a global document, but it confirms our commitment to human equality across the globe.

Two hundred and thirty years after Jefferson declared equality and 150 years after the 14th Amendment, equality is still elusive for many Americans. This can be seen in the statistics on poverty, unemployment, infant mortality, and educational achievement. Inequality extends beyond race, invades our political system, and continues to threaten the foundation of our society.