American individualism: climate costs & socioeconomic trends

The US continues its tradition of acute individualism. In the 1970s, a small group of oilmen decided it was better for their individual fortunes to let the earth slip into climate degradation. What could be a more powerful example of individualism gone awry than the possible destruction of our planet in favor of the personal gain of a few persons? What if we had tackled climate change back then?

Let us examine American individualism before considering possible ways out of the wilderness. We are born into separate bodies, and the survival of ourselves as individuals is essential. However, we tend to extrapolate this principle of survival into other fields, usually at the expense of the social dimension.

Let us count the ways. I loved riding my motorcycle across the Texas hill country. The wind blew against my body, and I could take any road I wanted. I felt free to go anywhere, forgetting that the urban structure and the layout of the streets were the result of past social and political decisions. This freedom of movement felt like I was free to do anything within legal bounds.

Individual development implies that one must fully discover oneself. I must find myself, my talent, my genius, waiting to be revealed and explored. Each individual is unique. My education, and particularly my career progress, must be optimal and possibly unconstrained by others. For a male with relatively easy sex, marriage can be delayed. The average age of the first marriage has increased from 23 to 30 years for males over the last fifty years.

Driven by the individual spirit, one becomes primarily concerned and psychologically fit with oneself. As Slater pointed out years ago, this ultimately leads to loneliness (Slater, 1970).

Within this context, meritocracy is interpreted as justifying the individual. My deeds and achievements are merit-worthy. Those below me are less worthy, and those below them deserve their low-class jobs and lives. The social order is just. I adore successful superstars and even rebels such as Elon Musk. Social influencers have found a new way to be super individuals and have their place.

Consumerism, a pillar of capitalism, is compatible with the most exclusive forms of individualism. The more successful individuals can indulge themselves in luxury. They purchase mansion homes, executive airplanes, mega-yachts, and vacation resorts, all to be shown off (discretely).

I love to stride, to insult, to put myself first. However, if I did that with everyone, I would have few friends and isolate myself. So, one can use groups—the bigger, the better—to be within the clan and find the opposition to malign. Call them political parties: Democrats and Republicans. Inside the party, I am accepted, with a target outside. The political agreement becomes difficult, and the legislature may become dysfunctional. The political differences can turn into violence. Office holders of extreme individualism can become authoritarian.

In this context of extreme individualism, practiced predominantly by males, two significant socio-economic trends have emerged: disregard for the environment and the continued spread of armed conflict. The highlight of environmental indifference is climate warming, followed by air pollution, water pollution, litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, light pollution, and visual pollution. Instead, at least 150 ongoing armed conflicts have been recorded each year, up from previous decades, but even then, it rarely fell below 100. The ability or willingness to use diplomacy appears to be limited.

Recognizing this form of severe American individualism, what might be the ways of reform? First, we must observe that reform may not be possible. Second, it will be difficult. My idea is to use the inevitable phenomenon of climate warming as an opportunity to tame individualism.

Environmental adaptation after weather and climate-related disasters is obligatory.

Storms, floods, and wildfires damage Republican and Democrat properties alike; we can agree on this. Preventive adaptation also helps both. The difficult measures involve mitigation; however, continued investment in R&D is realizing the most cost-effective solutions in technologies that utilize renewable energy, such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, and heat pumps. Fossil fuel technologies often cost more, and the energy transition needs to be accelerated.

Working locally on environmental issues is also promising. Green spaces offer widespread health benefits. We can create more space by working with local authorities and contributing to tree planting, for example. Participation in planning our cities and neighborhoods is required if you want to be heard.

In general, bipartisanship should be encouraged; we achieve more. Party differences need to be toned down.

We need new spaces and organizations where different kinds of citizens can mingle, peacefully discuss, and enjoy themselves. Italy is attempting to create community centers for this. What can they be in America? Can labor unions play a role?

Youth should be given more space in politics and education. Teaching individualistic career development should be balanced with social participation. Younger political candidates will help revive their interest in politics. Listen to youth. Greta Thunberg is still correct: we individualistic adults must do much more.