American society is one of the most individualistic societies in the world, for better or for worse. Collectivistic societies are societies that value the good of the group over the good of the individuals in that group. They also have honor/shame justice systems, rather than innocent/guilty justice systems. This culture is a much older type of culture and is family and group oriented. The individuals were seen as a part of larger groups, and as representatives of those groups. For example, you are a representative of your immediate family, your extended family, your tribe, and your class in that tribe. If you are part of a guild or other social group that is separate from your family, then you are also a representative of that guild or group. As a representative, your goal is to behave in a way that upholds the established reputation for each of those groups, lest you be shamed and potentially excommunicated from your groups, and become anathema. The pressures that this culture places on an individual are immense and leave very little room for the individuals develop their own reputation and establish their own freedom. These cultures tend to call people by their family names rather than their given individual names. Being shamed by a community is the main form of justice.
Individualistic cultures are seen as superior to the people in those cultures because of the inherent value of self-actualization.
Connecting the small businesses of North Orange County together. Small businesses supporting other small businesses. The community supporting herself. Hoping to foster a more robust small town feel to the community. Do I care about the small businesses in North Orange County though? I do not. What do I care about? I care about the church, local and ecumenical. I care about the next generation, the children and youth. I care about where society is going. Globalization, while it has allowed for more wealth to be generated and circulated, I do not think that it has been all good for society. Let's just say that corruption will exist amongst the powerful. Legislation needs to be there to mitigate that power discrepancy, but the powerful and corrupt will use that power on legislation to keep that mitigation to a minimum, since they know all people are greedy and look out for their own self interest.