Individualism prioritizes the rights of the individual over those of any collective group, but the definition of “harm” is debatable. The US has a collectivist government, but many hold individualistic views. Totalitarianism is the opposite end of the spectrum.
Individualism is an idea that has operated in numerous countries for several hundred years or more. It is most often related to the United States, when Thomas Jefferson insisted on the function of government as an entity that sought to serve the rights and freedoms of the individual instead of interfering with them and resulted in the creation of the Bill of Rights. Jeffersonian views were only partly individualistic, however, as the Bill of Rights did nothing to protect slaves or Native Americans. True individualistic doctrine would oppose this position today.
In essence, when a person advocates individualism, they believe that the rights of the individual are far more important than the rights of any collective group (government or society) provided those rights are not exercised in a way that harms others. Exactly what the definition of “harm” is is a highly debatable question. A businessman dumping pollutants into a lake could be seen as harmful behavior or not, depending on the interpretation. Some individualists may argue against taxes collected to serve the common good, the need for public education, regulatory agencies established by governments, or any law that inhibits rights. They would especially oppose the idea that society was a collective unit (often called collectivism) and that people needed legislation to be responsible for or care for each other.
Interestingly, individualism is often associated with the far right in the United States, but this is not an easy marriage. While the far right often seeks lower taxes and less regulation, they also seek to regulate behavior, especially on issues of abortion, sex education and gay marriage. These are attempts to impose moral standards on other individuals, which is not an individualistic position. Typically, the true individualist may feel more comfortable associating with the Libertarian Party of the United States.
At the opposite end of the spectrum to individualism is totalitarianism. In totalitarianism, the government is never limited and can constantly violate people’s rights, to the extent it wants. Collectivist governments are often much more limited, although this is not always the case. They may have established laws, invoked people’s participation in making or maintaining laws, and determined fundamental rights.
The US would be an example of a collectivist government (with a number of people holding individualistic views). In some cases, it sees the needs of society above the needs of the individual, but it also establishes laws dictating basic rights and works to protect those laws. In a collectivist position, the needs of the many trump the needs of a single person, although that person may vote in any election and still enjoy significant freedom. Finding a balance between maintaining individual and collective rights is very challenging. The most strident collectivism minimizes the freedoms individuals are entitled to because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
People in the United States are often identified as possessing highly individualistic traits. This does not mean that they have a coherent view of individualism. However, the people of the United States can be more opinionated and have a stronger sense and feeling of entitlement to what their rights might be, both at home and abroad. Such behavior can be contrasted with the behavior and thinking of those in societies that are more strongly collective or totalitarian in nature.
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