Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

You need not travel far inside the United States before you meet someone who is quick to tell you about American democracy. You are likely to hear phrases such as "a beacon of light around the world" as that person talks of the prestige their country enjoys across the globe. Such an attitude is consistent with the long-held myth of American "exceptionalism."

But does that image of American democracy as a sign of hope stand up to reality? And is the U.S. held in as high regard as millions of Americans believe it is? One Gallup poll this year says America is not among the top 20 happiest countries around the world. Perhaps caution is needed before "exceptionalism" is touted.

Why is America scrutinized the way it is by nations big and small? Perhaps the best way to explain that is to mull this: If the presidential candidates have such contempt for each other, then what image are they projecting to domestic and international audiences?

That disdain will be on full display on September 10. On that evening, Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will hold their first debate. In a society where respect for self and others is truly valued, the candidates are expected to candidly discuss the nation's most important issues, not verbally attack each other, and certainly not quibble about whether both microphones should remain open, no matter which of them is speaking.

Yet that argument is taking place, with Harris and the Democrats especially concerned that Trump would regularly and intentionally interrupt her. He has done just that in the past, and his deluge of attacks on Harris and her character is an insult to decency. But Harris has also blasted Trump, at one point claiming that he would destroy the U.S. Constitution if he were to return to the White House.

The squabbling over microphones highlights that with the election roughly two months away, the animosity between the candidates and the parties is intensifying. Questions about policy differences are kicked to the back burner as the two sides launch a barrage of verbal blasts on each other, and in a media environment in which controversy makes for great headlines, the verbal blasts are going to dominate the daily news cycle.

Such actions, which do not shine a positive light on America's democracy, are sending this signal to the American public: If Trump and Harris are not held to account for being disrespectful to each other, then you should feel also comfortable acting in the same way when dealing with others.

Perhaps more importantly, such immaturity serves to throw more fuel on polarization. People all across the world are well aware that millions upon millions of Americans have retreated to their own echo chambers. They consume media that supports only their positions. They maintain a friends' group that aligns with their preferences. They use social media to hammer people who disagree with them, and they often do so using language that would have got them suspended or expelled from school when they were younger.

Taking this a step further, the polarization also guarantees that Americans will not have a real impact on the political process. Instead of engaging in serious dialogue about issues such as border security and relations with other countries, they accept whatever they see in their preferred news media and social media platforms as fact.

The effect of such blind acceptance is that policies remain in place long after they should have been done away with, and perceptions become more entrenched and come to be accepted as etched in stone.

Consider this statement from a recent Pew Center poll about Americans' views of their country: "Some of the widest gaps between Harris and Trump supporters are on issues that have divided Americans for decades, such as the role of guns in society, race and the legacy of slavery. In addition, voters who back Harris and Trump have sharply different views on immigration, gender identity, and whether society should prioritize marriage and having children."

You would think that a country with a democracy as robust and healthy as its citizens believe it to be would be constantly having honest conversations about these topics and others. But just the opposite is taking place. Too many Americans are too smug; they are convinced that they are right and better represent the nation, and they see the other side as morally bankrupt and determined to ruin the country.

Sadly, such arrogance provides more and more evidence to the international community that the United States is not united, and that it cannot provide the ethical and moral leadership required to bring about real change across the globe.

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