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While there of course are always differences within regions, the Mountain West is usually recognized as the most individualistic part of the country but it might be interesting comparing the South, the Northeast and the Midwest in this regard.
Some people classify Southerners as "collectivist" because of things like abortion and gay marriage, and because of the Southern hospitality and a sense of community and belonging for many people. I don't know about northern rural areas, cause I don't have much experience in them, but in Northeast cities many people seem to be in their bubble, many people don't care to know their neighbors and strangers rarely speak to each other, even if its just saying hello and acknowledging someone walking past you or getting in an elevator with you. I think everyday things like this get people to claim the Northeast is more individualistic.
But in other ways the South is a lot more individualistic than the Northeast IMO. For example most Southern states are right to work and do not have a union tradition, the tea party is most powerful in the South, and the South has a lot of opposition to big government, which can be seen in the support for gun rights, the opposition to socialist medicine, the opposition to the redistribution of wealth and to high taxes. Many Southern metro areas are also less strict in zoning and value property rights more, with fewer trends toward government enforced 'transit-oriented development". Southerners are the most generous when it comes to donating to private charity and believe this kind of thing should be done individually while people in the Northeast seem more collectivist with their support for high taxes and lots of government regulations and control. Very few places in the South have things like plastic bag taxes or soda bans. People in the South are also more opposed to things like food stamps and Section 8 housing while in the Northeast you hear a lot of the "we need to benefit the whole society" mentality. The "don't tread on me" mentality is one that I personally hold, except when it comes to religious issues. But then Southerners are more willing to say Merry Christmas and don't care if someone objects to it and insists on 'happy holidays".
So what do y'all think of collectivism and individualism in the South vs the Northeast and Midwest?
While there of course are always differences within regions, the Mountain West is usually recognized as the most individualistic part of the country but it might be interesting comparing the South, the Northeast and the Midwest in this regard.
Some people classify Southerners as "collectivist" because of things like abortion and gay marriage, and because of the Southern hospitality and a sense of community and belonging for many people. I don't know about northern rural areas, cause I don't have much experience in them, but in Northeast cities many people seem to be in their bubble, many people don't care to know their neighbors and strangers rarely speak to each other, even if its just saying hello and acknowledging someone walking past you or getting in an elevator with you. I think everyday things like this get people to claim the Northeast is more individualistic.
But in other ways the South is a lot more individualistic than the Northeast IMO. For example most Southern states are right to work and do not have a union tradition, the tea party is most powerful in the South, and the South has a lot of opposition to big government, which can be seen in the support for gun rights, the opposition to socialist medicine, the opposition to the redistribution of wealth and to high taxes. Many Southern metro areas are also less strict in zoning and value property rights more, with fewer trends toward government enforced 'transit-oriented development". Southerners are the most generous when it comes to donating to private charity and believe this kind of thing should be done individually while people in the Northeast seem more collectivist with their support for high taxes and lots of government regulations and control. Very few places in the South have things like plastic bag taxes or soda bans. People in the South are also more opposed to things like food stamps and Section 8 housing while in the Northeast you hear a lot of the "we need to benefit the whole society" mentality. The "don't tread on me" mentality is one that I personally hold, except when it comes to religious issues. But then Southerners are more willing to say Merry Christmas and don't care if someone objects to it and insists on 'happy holidays".
So what do y'all think of collectivism and individualism in the South vs the Northeast and Midwest?
Two vastly different entities stuck in the same country thru a quirk of history. Time to move on without each other. The North and South share almost none of the same values nor culture. One region (South) is anti-govt and anti-tax, the other believes in the rule of law and sensible responsible govt.
Two vastly different entities stuck in the same country thru a quirk of history. Time to move on without each other. The North and South share almost none of the same values nor culture. One region (South) is anti-govt and anti-tax, the other believes in the rule of law and sensible responsible govt.
They actually do but you choose to ignore it so you can pointlessly continue with your constant separatist crap.
I recently moved from Midwest to the South please explain to me why the culture here is so similar to back home?
Where and how long have you been there? Give it time and you will see. Tell me about Jackson, MS.
SW Houston suburbs.
People here watch the same sports, watch the same movies/tv shows, speak the same language, celebrate the same holidays, eat the same food, same big box stores, similar architecture and similar history as back home. i doubt that will all change over time.
I think regional differences are greatly exaggerated. People are basically people and I'd wager there's more difference between city/ country people than two city people in different states or even regions.
Majority of one region voting for a soda ban and the majority somewhere else voting against it...doesn't broadcast individuality to me...especially with the South being so gaga for organized religion.
I think regional differences are greatly exaggerated. People are basically people and I'd wager there's more difference between city/ country people than two city people in different states or even regions.
Majority of one region voting for a soda ban and the majority somewhere else voting against it...doesn't broadcast individuality to me...especially with the South being so gaga for organized religion.
:shrug:
Being a member of an organized religion and being individualistic are mutually exclusive. One cannot be defined as individualistic and cling to the religious herd. I like the south but it is certainly not individualistic.
I think regional differences are greatly exaggerated. People are basically people and I'd wager there's more difference between city/ country people than two city people in different states or even regions.
'
I agree.
I personally LIKE the cultural differences (they're there but they're not disruptive in my opinion), coupled with the common ground, which there is a LOT of. Makes me proud to be an American.
Two vastly different entities stuck in the same country thru a quirk of history. Time to move on without each other. The North and South share almost none of the same values nor culture. One region (South) is anti-govt and anti-tax, the other believes in the rule of law and sensible responsible govt.
Conservatives don't respect the Rule of Law? The current administration (or what passes for an administration) has provided ample evidence that the exact opposite holds true.
Conservatives don't respect the Rule of Law? The current administration (or what passes for an administration) has provided ample evidence that the exact opposite holds true.
He said nothing about conservatives; he was talking about Northerners and Southerners. With respect to that point about the rule of law, he was probably referring to the South's penchant for libertarianism in some respects and its historic stance on state's rights. But either way, don't go down the political road as this isn't the forum for it and definitely don't follow this guy up.
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