At its core, the Sierran culture can be perceived as a modern deviation or variant of American culture with strong influences from East Asian concepts including Confucianism. Sierra itself was formed primarily by settlers hailing from the former United States during the 19th century. Culturally, Sierra is best described as high-context culture and therefore more collectivist in nature than American society. However, Sierra places more emphasis on individualism than traditional Asian societies creating a culture aiming to balance the interests of both the individual and society (social communitarianism). Economically and politically, Sierrans have traditionally held firm capitalist-materialist mindset and democratic traditions.