Two key themes continue to pop up in these conversations; exceptionalism and inequality. Neither of these terms is to be taken at face value and an entire article could/should be written on each of them. Please don't think of either of them in the pop culture sense but in the literal, clinical sense.
FWIW, it was one of your UK commenters that opened my eyes to exceptionalism in regards to how my country is handling so many of the challenges it is facing today.
I've personally lived through the world of inequality and it's not just a matter of race, religion, sex or socioeconomics. I'll only say that everyone should consider that biology, geography and genetics all seem to contribute.