Of the social scientists I studied back in Grad school, Durkheim is one who really wrote about the things found in when it came to quality societies, and that deals with the importance of the concept of a shared collective consciousness and how the loss of it erodes the functionality of a productive and meaningful society. 

Durkheim's findings included that societies with the more accepted and cohesive norms, customs, functions, and laws, found in a society, the more the society would function and I think this clearly indicates the trouble America is in.  As a society, we no longer have the amount of this that we need - I mean, we live in a society where people are still excusing the death of George Floyd or the seriousness of Jan 6 and many other behaviors that used to be roundly looked down upon.  And this is just not by race, political party, gender, or other things, but all through American society.  Behavior that should be shunned by almost all Americans is now nullified by members of tribes.

I mean, when half of the voting public disputes what is truly abhorrent behavior and excuses its presence in a society due solely to politics, clearly shows that in America we do not share the same norms, customs, functions, and laws. 

And I think anyone familiar with Durkheim and his findings is probably as concerned as I am when it comes to the long-term future of this country.  Just look at the ample examples of all of this through all facets of American society - the self has overtaken anything resembling good character and genuine goodness - from our entertainment to sports, to economics, to politics, all of it.  The self has become the focus.

Think of it - almost half of American voters support one of the most deplorable people in the world - and this is by their PAST standards that they now ignore for their own benefit rather than the benefit of the country. 

I also believe the ignoring of Durkheim's theories is directly related to today's portion of "identity politics" and "grievance politics" and as Reg has highlighted, the emergence of Me, Me, Me. 

To me, the emergence of a selfish and self-centered society like the one we have today is directly related to these failings - that the focus has now become upon the individual, which has allowed these things to flourish. 

And to me, it is only going to get worse.  Though not religious, I do see the importance and benefit of an authentic and genuine belief system, but America has lost that, too.  I will admit, that I am ignorant when it comes to the Bible - my view is, why should I become versed in a system I'm not a believer in when those who do believe do not respect my own beliefs, or offer any sort of the same respect that they demand from others that believe differently when it comes to their beliefs?

But my point is this - I have learned a bit about biblical liturgy when it comes to things like lying and have learned, that when it comes to lies, not only is the person to correct the lie, but to also stop telling the lie. To me, when people who claim to be authentically religious do not do this, it clearly indicates Religion is failing America by allowing such foundational violations as being unable to simply tell the truth.

To me, this only illustrates Durkheim's concerns even more.