It is true that the potential for informing one self is greater than ever before and this goes a long way to preventing the government from taking unpopular action. However I still think that people have a long way to go before setting aside own group biases, people are still motivated by emotion rather than there own self interest. So if they are presented with an emotionally convining argument, they will do things against there interest (like going to war). I was surprised that Obama could not get boots on the ground that time. That was a win for peace.

Is it any wonder that media has propagated many social divisions and emotional arguments since that time (i.e. chemical weapons strikes) to motivate people. I think that education has to be improved such that young people understand the reason they have the right to arms, the reason they need to protect their border and the cost of war to them.

When was the last time switzerland went to war or had a mass shooting (they have one of the highest guns ownership per capita). I dont know for sure but I suspect it to be due to a generally higher level of education and compulsory military service. Their national pride seems to be not something superfical.
LB