An issue with American system of Higher Education

I wonder whether it could be that since America has a group of elite institutions of higher education, the national elites are comparatively more disconnected from the bulk of the population than in , let's say, Europe where they (more or less) abolished the elite system to bring "mediocrity for all". This is in light of the fact that much of the political, business, scientific, cultural, social aspects of national life are defined by the products of these elite institutions.

Maybe that that is also why there are fewer large scale movements in the US for example - against foreign wars or against Guantanamo Bay torture or FOR better environmental regulations or any such thing. The liberal section of the elite (if it has the will to) is left(????) on its own to act and there is smaller active involvement from general population. A classic example could be how it is said that the bulk of US population has "forgotten" about the Afghanistan and Iraq war ( and never knows about "smaller" military involvements such as the intervention in Somalia). Why does this happen? when in the first place the reasons given for starting such involvements (or whatever they may be) are said to be deeply related to the great US ideals of freedom and democracy. Why does the general population not show greater interest in such actions ???

May be the US system has practically syndicated the enterprise of  moderate or liberal activism  to its highly educated elite.


The following NY Times op-ed is related to the point I am trying to make:

NY Times OP-ED


this is it for today.