In the more cooperative, pre-1960s era, there was basically no welfare, no Medicare, no federal student loan program, and by any metric, things were rougher an

In the more cooperative, pre-1960s era, there was basically no welfare, no Medicare, no federal student loan program, and by any metric, things were rougher and poverty was very rampant (around 30% Americans lived in poverty in 1950s). And yet, it was precisely at that time where civic society flourished, and it’s decline coincided precisely with the introduction of Great Society programs and Civil Rights. Of course, reduction of poverty and civil rights were huge wins and unquestionable positives, but I believe it’s actually us making the society more prosperous and more just, that was what made us more individualistic and less civically engaged — because we don’t need each other as much anymore.