<p><< I actually think Alwaysfaithful says some really interesting and valid, supportable and even laudable things about cultural exchange between the Americans and Chinese. But there are glaring examples of ignorance and overstatement from him or her too.>></p>
<p>PEALS-05, I would agree with this. But I do not feel that questioning the morality of rational ignorance falls into this category. </p>
<p>Btw, self-interest has been identified as the backbone of American democracy by many <em>American</em> political scientists; from Walter Lippman to Samuel Popkin to Robert Dahl.</p>