Among the things that “American exceptionalism” should not mean is “the world’s preeminent lazy and uninformed electorate.” But, arguably, we’re about there. All it takes is a generation or two with little or no understanding of how our democracy works. Without change, we’re imperiled.
So, yes, let’s hear it for calls to make American history and civics mandatory in our high schools and universities. At the very least, we will be less vulnerable to candidates who can too easily mislead an uninformed citizenry.