This is where I think you actually have it backwards. Hyper individualism is what spawned the left wing of the current time period that has progressed out of the 60s drug binge.
What we had before was a group identity of Americans, hard working, faithful, and above all else committed to our own people and our own goals. These are not individualist traits. Individualism falls into the trap of creating as many camps and classes as possible, dividing the population as far as possible, and banning everything that offends us instead of respecting our neighbor's rights.
Our group identity was rugged individualism, yes, but it was a group identity, don't forget that. We shared that. This may be tangential to your point but it's an important thing to remember.
Hyper individualism always results in direct democracy, because the individual thinks they are more important than the next person. And direct democracy results in voting yourself more money from your neighbor's wallet, because after all, you're more important than they are, and can better make use of it.
Well said and on point. I was part of that group growing up in the 60's. I did not carry signs and I bathed regular but I watched it all unfold.
Those same people are now running this mess.