In this case, I’m referring to the notion that we all make minor sacrifices in our daily interactions in service of a “greater good” for everyone.
“Following the rules” would be a simplified version of what I’m talking about, I suppose. But also keeping an awareness/attitude about "How will my choices affect the people around me in this moment? “Common courtesy”, “situational awareness”, etc…
I don’t know that it’s a “new” phenomenon by any means, I just seem to have an increasing (subjective) awareness of it’s decline of late.
It’s about trust. In a low trust society people show no regard for the society as a whole and will only act in their own interest.
There are various reasons why people loose any sense of belonging to a society, but the outcomes are always the same and you will see what you are describing.
I wanna say today it’s mainly caused by inequality and cronyism that’s been skyrocketing over the last 50 years.
Inequality at the levels we’re at destroys society from multiple angles, from making life completely unaffordable, to making dating harder to making different demographics blame each other for all the problems.
If you don’t feel your investment into the society is reciprocated, then you feel no need to follow any of its rules or make any sacrifices for it.