I have noticed people quibble less when they go with the term “collectivism.” Provided you’re not talking with hopeless sociology majors.
Totally agree. As an immigrant to the USA (from UK) I didn’t realize how conditioned I was toward collectivism, only to realize the only country in the world that isn’t centered on collectivism is the USA. In other words, what comes first, the collective or individual rights? Only in the USA do we realize that individual rights coming first IS in the best interests of the collective. Everywhere else will bend and easily curtail the rights of individuals to appease the will of the collective.
This is true in Europe and the UK. COVID was a perfect example. Whatever the government said was “the right thing to do” people did it, without question. Anyone that didn’t was considered selfish and uncivilized. The “clap for the NHS heroes” was cringe worthy, everyone going outside at 7pm to clap and bang pots and pans in their support - if you weren’t participating it might be noted by neighbors.
The government hammers certain messages; NHS good...guns bad. Two almost unquestioned principles. It took me a while to even comprehend another point of view.