"One way is by the amount of freedom they allow. So, if the American character isn't actively/aggressively shaped by govt -- then it is allowed to flourish under the freedoms provided by the Constitution."
First, the Constitution does not "provide" freedoms. Never has, never will. Freedom is provided by our Creator and ALWAYS LIMITED by government for many reasons (excuses, mainly). Our Constitution absolutely and specifically limits GOVERNMENTAL authority, not freedom. Our freedoms and liberties are only limited by the bounds set by the EQUAL freedoms and liberites of other individuals, and are to be PROTECTED by government. This is a CRUCIAL difference between the United States of America (as it was founded) and the rest of the world at that time. Up to that point, you would have been correct. However, the Constitution for the United States put a whole new face on government, one which the PEOPLE of the rest of the world admired, but their governments abhorred. Now we have become, in practical terms, just like the rest of the world, and that works very much to the detriment of the average American. Our leadership, so-called, gives lip service to the principles of the Constitution, while using it to wipe their nasty a$$es. And this refers to both halves of the ruling party.
We're talking past each other here -- but we haven't become like "the rest of the world."