Scribd
Upload
10 views2 pages

Motion 4

Collectivism prioritizes group cohesion and long-term relationships, often sacrificing individual benefits for societal progress, and is commonly found in traditional communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In contrast, individualism emphasizes human independence and freedom, opposing external interference in personal choices, and is prevalent in North America and Western Europe. The document highlights the increasing trend of individualism globally, associated with socioeconomic development, while also discussing the political theories related to each concept.

Uploaded by

le05onze2004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views2 pages

Motion 4

Collectivism prioritizes group cohesion and long-term relationships, often sacrificing individual benefits for societal progress, and is commonly found in traditional communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In contrast, individualism emphasizes human independence and freedom, opposing external interference in personal choices, and is prevalent in North America and Western Europe. The document highlights the increasing trend of individualism globally, associated with socioeconomic development, while also discussing the political theories related to each concept.

Uploaded by

le05onze2004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Both collectivism and individualism are principles, practices, political theories,

and cultural patterns. They are often viewed as being in contrast with each other.
Collectivism prioritizes group cohesion over individual pursuits, and it sees long-
term relationships as essential since it promotes group goals. On the other hand,
individualism focuses on human independence and freedom. It is generally against
external interferences regarding personal choices. The following discussions
further delve into these distinctions.

What is Collectivism?
Collectivism is the principle or practice of prioritizing group cohesion over
individual pursuits. It views long-term relationships as essential since it
promotes group goals. The people in a collectivist society can easily sacrifice
their individual benefits for the sake of the whole society’s progress. As a matter
of fact, an individual with a collectivist attitude may even feel embarrassed if he
or she is singled out to be commended. A study on decision-making reported that
those with higher levels of collectivism tend to be more dependent and are less
likely to betray members of the central ingroups (Le Febvre & Franke, 2013).
Collectivism is a cultural pattern commonly observed among traditional communities
like those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is the opposite of individualism
which is common in North America, Western Europe, New Zealand, and Australia
(Triandis, 2001).

Collectivism is also a political theory which is related with communism since it


proposes that power should be placed in the hands of the citizens as a whole
instead of in the hands of only several individuals such as those in the upper
class. Hence, it is beneficial to construct a system which facilitates shared
goals. However, this ideal is difficult to actualize as evidenced by the Soviet
communism’s attempted collectivist society.

What is Individualism?
Individualism is a value or political view which focuses on human independence and
freedom. It is generally against external interferences regarding personal choices.
A research on decision-making concluded that those with higher levels of
individualism tend to be more rational than those with higher levels of
collectivism (Le Febvre & Franke, 2013). Societies with individualist cultures
view people as autonomous and prioritize uniqueness. Individualism disagrees that
religion and tradition can dictate individuals’ limitations. It contradicts the
views of collectivism which gives prime importance to interdependence and
conventionality. The term was reportedly first used as a pejorative term, largely
in the sense of political individualism which theorizes that the government should
merely take a defensive role by shielding the individual’s liberty to act as how he
wants to as long as he also respects the other individual’s freedom.

It was observed that there is an increasing pattern of individualism across the


globe and that it is likely associated with a similarly increasing socioeconomic
development which is evidenced by higher household income, education levels, and
proportion of white-collar occupations. However, it was noted that China is an
exception to the pattern since their individualistic culture was found out to
decrease despite their economic growth. This may be due to their complex
socioeconomic history (Association for Psychological Science, 2017).

Difference between Collectivism and Individualism


Definition
Collectivism is the principle or practice of prioritizing group cohesion over
individual pursuits. On the other hand, individualism is a value or political view
which focuses on human independence and freedom.
Core Elements
Collectivism’s core elements are preserving harmony and being dutiful to the in-
group. On the other hand, those of individualism are uniqueness and autonomy.

What it Contradicts
Collectivism is against individual pursuits as it advocates sacrifice for the
greater good. In comparison, individualism disagrees that religion and tradition
can dictate individuals’ limitations. It contradicts the views of collectivism
which gives prime importance to interdependence and conventionality.

Where it is Most Commonly Practiced


Collectivism is a cultural pattern commonly observed among traditional communities
like those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is the opposite of individualism
which is common in North America, Western Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
However, it was observed that there is an increasing pattern of individualism
across the globe and that it is likely associated with a similarly increasing
socioeconomic development.

Political Philosophy/Theory
Collectivism is also a political theory which is related with communism since it
proposes that power should be placed in the hands of the citizens as a whole
instead of in the hands of only several individuals such as those in the upper
class. Hence, it is beneficial to construct a system which facilitates shared
goals. In comparison, individualism is associated with liberalism which places
importance on individual freedom which was recognized specially since the
Enlightenment. It is also related with autarchism which rejects compulsory
government and promotes self-reliance and individual freedom.

Decision-Making
A study on decision-making reported that those with higher levels of collectivism
tend to be more dependent and are less likely to betray members of the central
ingroups while those with higher levels of individualism tend to be more rational
(Le Febvre & Franke, 2013).

Collectivism vs Individualism

Summary
Both collectivism and individualism are principles, practices, political theories,
and cultural patterns.
The people in a collectivist society can easily sacrifice their individual benefits
for the sake of the whole society’s progress.
Individualism is generally against external interferences regarding personal
choices.
There is an increasing pattern of individualism across the globe and that it is
likely associated with a similarly increasing socioeconomic development.
Collectivism prioritizes group cohesion over individual pursuits while
individualism focuses on human independence and freedom.
Collectivism is commonly observed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America while
individualism is more common in North America, Western Europe, New Zealand, and
Australia.
Collectivism is related with communism while individualism is associated with
liberalism and autarchism.
Those with higher levels of collectivism tend to be more dependent and loyal to the
in-group while those with higher levels of individualism tend to be more rational
in terms of their decision-making.

You might also like