1.3.1 Overview: Individualism and Collectivism
Completion requirements
1.3.1 Overview: Individualism and Collectivism
"Our greatness as a nation depends not only on individual initiative, but also on our sense of mutual responsibility"
President Barack Obama
You know that you have an identity as an individual; a unique person who has many skills, talents, and perspectives. This is based on your one-of-a-kind genetics and dozens of other factors that have influenced the person you are today and the person
you will become. You are also part of many collectives. You are a member not only of a family and a community, but you are also part of a culture, a society, and a nation. Collective groups have their own identities based on geography and centuries
of history.
Ideologies can be primarily individualist or primarily collectivist. However, both forms of ideology share aspects of individualism and collectivism. Why? We are all individuals but we also are all members of society as a whole. Is it possible to have both individualist and collectivist values? Can people who believe in different ideologies live and work together within a nation? ...within the global community?
To help you understand how ideologies compare, they are often categorized along a line called a spectrum. See a basic spectrum of individualism and collectivism below.
As you work through the remainder of Unit 1 and Social Studies 30-1, you will continue to explore the interaction between individualism and collectivism.
Ideologies can be primarily individualist or primarily collectivist. However, both forms of ideology share aspects of individualism and collectivism. Why? We are all individuals but we also are all members of society as a whole. Is it possible to have both individualist and collectivist values? Can people who believe in different ideologies live and work together within a nation? ...within the global community?
To help you understand how ideologies compare, they are often categorized along a line called a spectrum. See a basic spectrum of individualism and collectivism below.
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All other ideologies, or categories of beliefs, contain either principles of collectivism, individualism, or a combination of both.
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Read about individualism and collectivism on, pages 64 to 65 in your textbook Perspectives on Ideology. Stop at the heading "Early Understandings of Individualism and Collectivism".
As you read, think about the key differences between individualist and collectivist ideologies.
As you read, think about the key differences between individualist and collectivist ideologies.
Continue to take notes as you read.
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In this section, you will also be introduced to some skill-building activities that will help you write the position paper that is due at the end of the unit. Select this link to see a sample
concept map
about the source quote on the T-shirt above.
View this PowerPoint on Individualism and Collectivism
In this section, you will be answering these questions:
- What is individualism?
- What is collectivism?
- How are individualism and collectivism related to the common good?
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