[antiterra]

While your assessment may be true, I don’t think the mere ratification of the amendment makes the argument. It’s much more complicated.

The passing of the 18th was done through a highly organized and motivated cross-party political bloc that would throw an election to punish anyone that did not align with the dry agenda. This stacked the representative government in their favor, even if it did not match actual sentiment in their state.

The repeal of the amendment however, was by vote and 73% of voters favored the repeal.

[bluGill]

By your numbers 27% did not. Already that is a significant minority. There are an unknown number in your 73% that support things like the amendment, but not that particular one.

Speaking as an American only a tiny number are really the hard core individualists that OP is trying to reduce is to. The majority have inclinations that way but their beliefs are much more complex and cannot be reduced that far.

[ElProlactin]

> Speaking as an American only a tiny number are really the hard core individualists that OP is trying to reduce is to.

I'm an American who has lived abroad for many years and married into a less individualistic/more collectivist culture.

It's very easy to see how individualistic the US is comparatively speaking when you get the opportunity to step outside it.