it is believed that benefiting yourself and your family is of greater moral importance than meritocracy.

I actually believe that in the western society we do not value friends and family enough. It is only natural that I treat a friend different from a stranger, what point is there in friendship if I don't? Sure this can lead to family clans or other (secret) societies, but if a friend asks me for help I am much more inclined to help him than a random stranger.

I am all for fighting corruption and I think honesty, responsibility, transperency and non-aggression are important values - not only on Steemit. But it is much more fun to talk about the differences, then if I would describe l all the points you made, that I agree with ;)