"That action is best which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers"- Francis Hutcheson

Although today's North American society is based primarily on individualism, it also is based on some of the themes and principles of collectivism. Prior to the arrival of North American explorers and settlers, many Indigenous societies were strongly collectivist. They took collective responsibility for decision-making, for raising children, for safety and security, and for providing the community with food. They did not believe in the ownership of private property, especially ownership of the land.

Many First Nations communities in Canada still share a belief in working for the good of the community. Historically, other societies have held collective ideologies. In many societies, acting for the good of the entire community rather for the good of each individual was necessary for survival. For the non-Aboriginal people who settled in early Canada, some of the principles of collectivism such as cooperation, collective interest, and collective responsibility helped them form safe and secure communities.