Individualism

Individualism fundamentally focuses on the interests, rights as well as needs of the individual vis-à-vis the social environment, so that the freedom of the individual is the highest premise. Individualism aims to provide a new, more inclusive and complete idea of human freedom. It affects all areas relevant to society, such as ethics, norms, politics and economics.

Man pursues his interests

Individualism emerged from the Enlightenment philosophy. Rationalistic individualism holds that human beings are not naturally suited to focus on society, but pursue only their own goals and interests out of reason. With this view, people’s social behavior can only ever be attributed to self-interest (see Wass 2016).

The origins of individualism

The first individualistic philosophies found their origins already with Greek scholars in the 5th century BC. In European history, individualism began primarily with the emergence of the European bourgeoisie, but American society in particular has been described as the closest to individualism (cf. Taylor 1996). The proof of this is the American constitutional foundation, in which individualism is a guiding principle (cf. Mewes 2004).

Aspects and values of individualism and collectivism

Industrialized states are often classified on the side of individualism. Exceptions to this are East Asian states such as Japan or South Korea, which are still clearly considered collectivist despite industrialization (cf. Hofstede/ Hofstede/ Minkov 2010). Basically, in the opposite collectivism, personal needs are placed below the needs of the social group. Other aspects such as respect for parents, harmony among each other and sociability are values that are highly valued in collectivism. In contrast, aspects that place the individual above society are central in individualism. These include values such as autonomy, self-reliance, competition and the individual’s own goals (cf. Cho et al. 2010).

Literature

Cho, H.-j. (2015): The Spec Generation Who Can’t Say „No“: Overeducated and Underemployed Youth in Contemporary South Korea. East asia cultures critique, Volume 23, Number 3, 437-462.

Hofstede, G./ Hofstede, G./ Minkov, M. (2010): Cultures and Organizations: software of the mind. new york: McGraw Hill Professional.

Mewes, H. (2004): Individualism and American democratic theory: origins and original meanings. In: A. K. al. (Eds.): Democratic theory and the development of democracy. Wiesbaden: VS, 75-100.

Taylor, C. (1996): Sources of the self, the emergence of modern identity. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp.

Wass, B. (2016): Individualism versus collectivism – the question of the nature of togetherness. In: Dippelreiter, M./ Prosl, C. (Eds.): Individual and society in the tension between commitment and freedom. Klagenfurt: Wieser, 1-10.