Collectivism vs Individualism

Question 1

Collectivism vs Individualism Structure

Answer 1

Introduction
Collectivism
Individualism
Third Way and Big Society
Conclusion

Question 2

Collectivism vs Individualism Introduction

Answer 2

-Collectivism where people believe government are responsible for all matters of welfare according to founding principles of welfare state
Eg SNP, Labour
-Individualists believe in self reliance and individual responsibility.
-They think that collectivism creates dependency culture
Eg Conservatives
-New ways Third Way and Big Society which are a combination

Question 3

Collectivism

Answer 3

K- Principles of welfare state claim that welfare should be
collectivist, equal comprehensive and universal.
- It was funded through NI for everyone, cradle to grave.
- Currently continue with NHS, social benefits
- BSA found all incomes agree that government should
be responsible for health.

An- Necessary because 1/4 children in UK living in
poverty

An- Life expectancy in some parts of Scotland are worse
than developing countries.
- Poor children 2.5x more likely to suffer from chronic
illness
- Support serves greater good of nation

K- SNP have taken collectivist approach

• Smoking ban, no bedroom tax, free prescriptions
• PEF (eg Caldervale)

An- Collectivists think they should go further and provide
jobs
- Leads to growth in economy
- BSA found 65% agree government should be
responsible for reducing inequalities between rich
and poor.

Ev- Still believe in founding principles of welfare state
- Issues best solved collectively

Question 4

Individualism

Answer 4

K- Believe in less government intervention
- Rose during Thatcher years when she privatised
companies such as BT and British Airways
- It is one of the ‘laissez faire’ philosophy. (less taxes,
responsible for own health and wealth).

K- Seems to be increasing support for it and shifting
attitudes from young people
- Decade ago, 60% willing to pay more taxes to improve
health and education, 2017 only 1/3

K-They also believe collectivism creates nanny state
- Conservatives have combatted this with Welfare
Reform Act 2012
- Includes benefit cap, universal credit

An- There seems to be support for the reform
- BSA found 77% believe large number of people claim
benefits falsely, 49% believe less should be spent on
unemployment benefit

An- Also criticisms
- JRF say 3 new food banks every week after reforms
- Homelessness of under 25s could reach 81000 by
2020

Ev- Believe in self reliance, independence
- Insurance based health system like USA

Question 5

Other options

Answer 5

K- Both combine individualism and collectivism but
different in their own ways
- Tony Blair and New Labour’s ‘Third Way’
- Created because previous system was creating
spiralling housing budget, increasing unemployment
and lack of motivation
- ‘Hand up not hand out’

K- David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’
- New social evils of crime, poverty, long term
unemployment
- Community (voluntary services) should provide
services, look after broken society.

An- Many criticisms that the system was an excuse to
make welfare cuts
- Already thousands of charities

Ev - Third Way still supports government intervention
- Big society relies on voluntary groups

Question 6

Collectivism vs Individualism Conclusion

Answer 6

• Collectivists believe government are responsible
• Individualists believe we are responsible
• Other methods emerging that are bit of both
• Inequalities too complex to solve, need to create system that offers support without creating dependency
• Maybe Third Way