individualism:
"The political, economic, and social
concept that places primary emphasis on the worth, freedom, and well-being
of the individual rather than on the group, society, or nation....Individualism
is the central idea in the political doctrine of constitutional democracy
and the economic theory of laissez-faire. The broad guarantees afforded
to each person and to his or her property by the Constitution exemplify
the American focus on individual rights".
from: Plano
and Greenberg, The American Political Dictionary