Self-Interest Rightly Understood in American Society

The trend of growing inequality over the past few decades is not unique to America, and social isolation has increased globally, with some countries even establishing government departments to address loneliness. Despite the perception of America as individualistic, Alexis de Tocqueville noted in the 1830s that Americans were also highly communal. The secret to America's balance between individualism and community lies in the concept of self-interest rightly understood, where individuals pursue their self-interest with a long-term perspective.