Do rights-based political cultures need strong duty/obligation norms?

A former member of CivCon had this clever idea. She said she observed that there seemed to be a lot of tension in the United States between our rights-based, individualistic political culture/system and a well-functioning society's need for mutual obligations and a sense of community.

I couldn't agree more! I believe, in fact, that a gross imbalance between the two (only my rights matter v. obligations all must be voluntary only) lies at the root of our current dilemma. She also said she has noticed a similar tension in other countries she has been in. Rights and personal liberties versus duties and obligations to others - others outside of one's immediate family and chosen trust circle.

In other words, an oldie but goodie that gets fresher every day: In America, what is the relationship between freedom for me and responsibility to thee?

Background Readings (optional) –

Some basics:
· Rights and Responsibilities: Types of, relationship between. Easy + recommended.
· Liberal versus conservative views of the common good (pre-Trumpism).

Right-wing assault –
· MAGA’s ‘war on empathy’ - a war on the very idea that Americans have obligations to each other. 2025. Recommended.
· Must-read! The sociopathic style in American politics. The damage done by fetishizing “freedom” (as they narrowly define it and not for everyone) as the only moral and political value worth protecting.

Key links from related CivCon mtgs -
· 2024 mtg on Americans' mutual obligations to each other.
Link: We need a Bill of Responsibilities to go with our Bill of Rights. In 2023 an anti-MAGA conservative intellectual proposed an informal Bill of Obligations. Either recommended.
· 2023 How has freedom's meaning evolved through American history?
· 2018 What Binds Americans Together?
Link: Masterful Obama speech on what unites us, 2015 (transcript).