Final answer:
The best characterization of individualism is the value placed on individual autonomy and rights. In an individualist system of government, civil liberties emphasize the primacy of the individual, including limiting governmental authority to ensure personal freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of individualism can be best characterized as a belief system that values the moral worth and independence of the individual over the collective group, including government and societal constraints. In an individualist system of government, the focus is on protecting and promoting individual rights and civil liberties, allowing for personal autonomy and the pursuit of one's own goals. There are various philosophies that encapsulate this concept, with libertarianism calling for stringent limits on government intervention, and modern liberalism advocating for the government's role in enforcing laws that protect individual freedoms.
With regard to civil liberties, the major characteristic of an individualist system of government is an emphasis on the importance of individuals over the importance of the community, including the government. This perspective aligns with the options provided in a multiple-choice question, where the correct answer would be 'b. An emphasis on the importance of individuals over the importance of the community, including the government'. The American emphasis on individualism is historic, arising from the innate desire for freedom coupled with the challenges of pioneering and exploration.