What is it about living in rural America that makes people different from people

[DetlefK]

12. The low population-density changes societal dynamics:

In a city there are more people, more social circles. As a city-inhabitant, you are simultaneously a member of multiple social circles, meaning that you have no special adherence to one social circle above all others. They are all equally a part of your life.

In rural areas, there are less people, less social circles. Church on Sunday, the regular Highschool football games... These are basically the only social circles you frequent. And that makes them all the more important to you. The group-think us-vs-them is stronger.

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People in rural areas care about their social circles, their church, their sports-team, their politicians, with more emotion and more fanaticism. And this strong "us"-mentality makes them suceptible to an "us-vs-them" mentality.