Sound Bite
American exceptionalism has been widely interrogated. Exceptionally Backward: Economic, Racial, Gender, and Generation Inequality in a Neo-Colonial United States supplements this with close readings of Marx’s Das Kapital, the writings of “Enlightened” US founders; Harriet Beecher Stowe, W.E.B. Du Bois, Thomas Piketty, and others to argue that what’s most exceptional about American culture is its backwardness.
Prof. De Prospo draws on a wide range of disciplines, including American Studies, history, literary criticism, and critical theory to examine persistent economic, racial, gender, and generational disparities in the U.S. He argues that ideologies like American exceptionalism and originalism in constitutional law often serve justify or obscure systemic injustices.
About the Author
R.C. De Prospo has been a college and university professor for over fifty years. He’s published widely in Americanist and theory journals and is the author and editor of five books covering materials as disparate as early American literature, African American literature and culture, and medievalism. He has taught at the University of London and the University of New Hampshire and is currently the Earnest A. Howard Professor of English and Chair of American Studies at Washington College of Maryland.
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About the Book
Explore the complexities of inequality in contemporary America with R.C. De Prospo's insightful work, "Exceptionally Backward." This academic text examines the intertwined layers of economic, racial, gender, and generational disparities that...
Explore the complexities of inequality in contemporary America with R.C. De Prospo's insightful work, "Exceptionally Backward." This academic text examines the intertwined layers of economic, racial, gender, and generational disparities that continue to challenge the notion of equality and opportunity in the United States.
De Prospo critically assesses the idea of American exceptionalism, highlighting how historical injustices, rooted in colonialism, persist today. By integrating economic theory, historical context, and cultural critique, the author sheds light on the systemic factors that sustain inequality. Readers will find engaging discussions on influential figures from Thomas Jefferson to W.E.B. Du Bois, alongside contemporary theorists like Thomas Piketty, providing a broad perspective on America's socio-economic landscape.
This book serves not just as an academic resource but also as a prompt for reflection and dialogue. De Prospo encourages scholars, students, and activists to engage with pressing issues of our time, advocating for a reconsideration of the narratives surrounding justice and equality.
Featuring a thorough bibliography and index, "Exceptionally Backward" is a valuable resource for those interested in promoting social equity and understanding the challenges of modern America. Join the conversation about the future of equality in the U.S. and discover how learning from our past can contribute to a more equitable tomorrow.
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