So much of this could be due to an unnatural way of living. If, as I often speculate, the 'natural' way of life for humans involves small, spatially-separated, tribal communities, then the issue of individuality is resolved differently.

In such a community, survival depends upon collective action because, faced with nature, a single human can't survive alone.

But at the same time, such communities must value each person for what they, individually, can contribute. Their individual talents and skills must, of necessity, be recognised and utilised to the full, and be rewarded.

Thus the balance between individual and community becomes a natural part of such societies.

'Individuality' not 'individualism'. I'm always susicious of 'isms'.