Collectivism The opposite of individualism.

The concept, namely that the collective (normally

the state) should take precedence over the individual, was explored by Jean- Jacques Rousseau
(1712–78), Georg Hegel (1770–1831) and Karl Marx and is intrinsic not just to socialism and
communism but also to fascism. Examples of collectivism in practice include collective farms,
social housing and Israeli kibbutzim. Collectivism has frequently disappointed its advocates,
with collective farming proving disastrously inefficient in communist China and with social
housing in developed countries often blighted by high crime rates.
Individualism An emphasis on being self-reliant and independent, so favoring individual
freedom over collective control. Individualism is sometimes viewed as being politically
incompatible with socialism, hence the common assumption that capitalist America is the
world’s most individualistic nation.
When the Decade for Women was launched, there was hope that accelerated economic growth
sustained by growing international trade, financial flow and technological developments would
allow an increased participation of women in the economic and social development of those
countries. These hopes have been belied owing to the persistence and, in some cases, the
aggravation of several economic crisis both in developed and in the developing countries, which
have created important obstacles that endangers, until now, not only the pursuance of new
programmed in support of women, but also the maintenance of those that were already under
way. In front of a general crisis, only the oil producers could have the financial possibilities of
realizing a global female social inclusion, but only if the projects are not hindered by religious
dogmas. In several areas’ women are delayed by an excessive number of births, or by ethical
prohibitions from religious organisms, both Christian and Muslim, or by other religions. The
general result is that in most countries females remain “the poorest of the poor”. The argument of
healthy maternity has been inserted in the UN-MDGs and, at the end of 2014, an informing topic
has been approved and included in the new goals of the Post 2015- Agenda. The gender question
becomes today an economic matter, since, involving females in the development process, means
to recognize the women skills and education which could integrate the male contribution in
works, policies and social questions. Inequality is exacerbated by economic constraints, major
stress and stress-related illnesses, work accidents, harassment and bullying. Surely, Grotto, and
Scherer suggest that important social stratifications are at work other than gender inequality.