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Therefore it is our individualistic culture that allows for such contradictory behaviour among humans. Studies in collectivist countries have proven that their citizenry are more likely to help, even at possible cost to themselves, than the citizenry of the western world. Put simply; we are socialized into being selfish bastards.
That's now three posts by me lamenting on the shortfalls of Capitalism, and to think, it's not like I actually believe in Communism.
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Funny, I do support capitalism (even though like all social systems, it has its flaws) , yet I agree on much of what you said, and definitely on the collectivist point. Tribes in South America will help each other and work together, not always through neccessity but often through choice.
I don't think it's a flaw in the capitalist society, I think it's a flaw that the moment anybody has any power/status/wealth/whatever, it can potentially corrupt them. Or alternatively, if someone has a lack of said things, it can do the same. I believe this could easily occur in a communist state too- equality can breed contempt and ambition. People, used to Western life, would naturally want more and want to rise above each other, again resulting in the criminal-breeding defects of society. Not everybody would follow such a path but some would, again resulting in the omnipresent criminal aspect. This is why I believe you can't actually cultivate people out of criminal life, but instead must turn criminal tactics against them- force and frighten the criminal aspect away, whether through the prospect of harsher penalties, or through the enacting of said penalties to set an exampel and prevent repeat offences.
Discussions like this are the reason I'm taking Psychology at college, by the way. Nobody will ever REALLY be right or wrong, as exceptions and contradictions can always be found. It's really just a matter of viewpoint and personal sense of morality, justice etc.