[quote=harvey]American exceptionalism is about culture, which is entirely about our people.
American people are not different from Russians or Chinese people but our culture is very different from any other.
In fact, it’s exceptional.[/quote]
Well, if it takes a culture to make people different, then the people aren’t different. I think what Brian is saying is that Americans are better before their culture affects them. That they’re born better. As evidenced by this:
If we assume that humans are the same and easily manipulated, then that makes our population no different from the Russians or Chinese who are manipulated by nationalism and patriotism.
He seems to think that Russians and Chinese are susceptible to the manipulative forces in their cultures, but that Americans are not.
I disagree strongly that our culture is exceptional, but that’s another discussion.
