Core values are principles that individuals or groups of people subscribe to for specific personal or organizational relevance. American values are ethical and legal ideals that define the expected American code of conduct. American values were developed with careful consideration of history, various cultural beliefs, and their significance. The purpose of American values is to enable individuals, to assimilate into a comprehensive American identity. The American values examples are the key values of the US culture instilled into us from very young ages. These American values include individualism, equality, diversity, unity, liberty, and self-government (which can also be referred to as democracy). Diversity teaches people to respect and embrace one another despite their differences. Individualism implores people to be committed to achieving self-sufficiency, independence, personal economic growth, and private initiative. Liberty is the value that encourages people to think, speak, and express themselves freely, provided they do not infringe the rights and freedom of others. Unity maintains the indivisibility of a particular group of people. The United States is one unified nation with very strong ties binding its citizens together. Self-government - Democracy, ensures that the citizens can choose who governs them and how they are governed.