Individualism and Collectivism

Question 1

What is Individualism and the Rule of Law?

Answer 1

• Individualism: Ideology that values individual freedoms over the collective well-being of the group

Early Understanding and Development of Individualism:
- During the Renaissance, individuality became more important
- Influences from Ancient Greek culture helped to shape worldviews as people resisted the notion that they were “stuck” in a hierarchy ruled by God
- A notion of human potential focused on ideals such as strength, beauty, and reason of individual humans
- The Protestant Reformation also contributed to growing individualistic ideas by challenging the authority of the Roman Catholic Church

Rule of Law:
- Rule of law: every individual is equal before the law and subject to it
- No one is above the law
- Must be clearly defined rules that make up the law, not arbitrary (personal choice or personal whim) decisions made by higher powers
- States that if two people commit the same crime (regardless of status, religion, association, etc) they should receive the same punishment
- This is why in democracy, the judicial branch is separate from the other branches– the executive branch cannot manipulate the law to its own advantage
- Police forces and courts of law are required to enforce this

Question 2

What are Individual Rights and freedoms and Private Property?

Answer 2

• Individual Rights and Freedoms: Values provided by the government and for the people, including freedom of religion, freedom of association, the right to life, liberty, and security of the person
• In Canada, this is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• In Liberal democracies, such as Canada, an important right is franchise (right to vote)
• Rights can be restricted or limited in order to protect the rights of others
  Ex. there are laws that prohibit the promotion of hatred and/or discrimination – thus limiting freedom of expression
• Private Property: anything owned by an individual, including land, real estate, and intellectual property
• Property is seen as a natural extension of the worth of a person
• Right of use → can do what you want as long as you do not violate the rights of others
• Right of disposal → can discard your property or transfer it to another
• Right of income → can use property as a source of income (ex. renting)

Question 3

What is Economic Freedom and Self-interest?

Answer 3

• Economic Freedom: Freedom to buy what you want and sell your labor/product to whomever you wish
• Can start your own business and sell whatever you want as long as it is the subject of law

Business Freedom
- Investment Freedom
- Trade freedom
- Fiscal (tax) freedom
- Degree of gov. Regulation
- Monetary freedom

Financial freedom
- Property rights
- Freedom from corruption
- Labor freedom

• Self-interest: acting in one’s personal interest or advantage
• Decisions should be made free from gov. control
• By working in your own self-interest, you will inadvertently benefit all of society
• Applies mainly to economics but can also apply to political and social decisions

Question 4

What is Collectivism and Collective Norms and Responsibilities?

Answer 4

• Collectivism: ideology that values the goals of the group/common good over the goals of the individual
• Basically, collectivism stresses human interdependence and the importance of a collective, regardless of size, rather than the importance of the individual
• It considers the well-being of the community at the expense of the individual (ex. smoking)
• Indigenous peoples, such as the Aboriginal peoples of Canada describe their traditional cultures as having strong sense of the collective
• Collective Norms: culturally established rules that lead people to act in a certain way
• Standards, or norms, are imposed in collective societies as a condition of membership in society
• Can relate to values, conditions, conduct, or appearance
• Are usually binding (trade unions, faith groups, professional groups, etc)
• Censorship can be used ti impose or protect these norms
• Collective Responsibility: holding the whole group responsible for the actions of individuals within the group (group accountability)
• Often made in response to deep-rooted social programs that cannot be addressed by targeting the individual
• Can be used punitively (as punishment) to ensure citizens obey the gov.
  Ex. if one member speaks out against the gov, the entire family may be punished

Question 5

What is Public Property, Economic Equality, and Collective Interest?

Answer 5

• Public Property: anything not privately owned by individuals → owned by the state and managed in the best interest of the community
• Usually land, capitol, industries, etc
• Maintained with public monet raised through taxation
  Ex. parks in Canada are publicly owned
  Ex. Crown Corps. (CBC, Canada Post)

Economic Equality:
- Diff. countries adopt different amounts of economic equality
In some, it means all people have exactly the same of everything
- To others, it means people have access to their basic needs
- And to others, it means all people have reasonable standard of living
- May occur in several ways:
1. Gov. regulated tax policies
2. Equal wages for equal work
3. No private property

• Collective interest: interests a group has in common
• While individuals have their own interests, they feel it is better addressed by making them a common set of group interests to benefit the ‘common good’
  Ex. labor unions, human rights groups, social programs, lobby groups, etc