Social Studies 30-1

Unit 1: Identity and Ideology

Individualism vs. Collectivism
Instructions: Please read the following notes and complete the accompanying activities
which examine the concepts of individualism and collectivism.

Individualism:
an ideology based on the primacy of individual freedom; values the freedom and worth of the
individual, sometimes over the security and welfare of the group. A supporter of the
principles of individualism might be referred to as an individualist.

Collectivism:
an ideology based on the primacy of collective welfare; values the goals of the group and the
common good over the goals of any one individual. A supporter of the principles of
collectivism might be referred to as a collectivist.

Major Components of Collectivism and Individualism

Cultural psychologists have conducted considerable research since 1980 to identify the main
values of individualism and collectivism. (Chart is adapted from Global Systems)
Collectivism
● The survival of the collective takes precedence over
that of the individual.
● Personal potential is attained through collective
development.
● Uniformity and conformity are the ideal.
● Collective identity is defined by group membership.
● Conformity to group norms, obedience, and
harmony are expected.
● The group is able and entitled to know what its
members do and think in private.
● Collective responsibility is expected; the entire
group is responsible for the actions of its members.
Collective efforts are believed to be superior.
● Cooperation and conformity are the best way to
achieve goals.
● The group assumes responsibility for the well-being
of its members.
● Fulfilment of the group's obligations is important;
actions are guided by group interests.
● Sharing of wealth, egalitarianism, public or
collective ownership are important.
● Rights of the group take precedence; individual
rights are secondary.
Individualism
● Individual self-worth; ultimate moral authority lies
with the individual.
● Personal potential is developed through individual
effort.
● Each person is unique.
● A person's identity is defined by personal
characteristics.
● The individual makes independent decisions and
judgements.
● The person has the right to privacy; people should
not interfere ill what another person does and
thinks.
● The individual is morally and/or legally responsible
for personal actions.
● Emphasis on individual initiative and personal
achievement.
● Excellence attained and goals met through
competition.
● The individual is responsible for personal well-being.
● Fulfilment of individual needs and interests; actions
guided by self-interest.
● Material rewards and wealth are not
shared; property is held privately.
● The individual's rights are paramount and protected
by laws.

Principles of Individualism and Collectivism

Please take notes from Perspectives on Ideology on the principles of individualism (pages 71-
79) and the principles of collectivism (pages 80-86).

Principles of Collectivism Principles of Individualism

 Economic equality:
● a principle common to collectivist
ideologies, which can have different
meaning depending on the person on the
ideology. Governments may try to foster
economic equality through tax policies and
by ensuring that all people earn equal wages
for work of similar value.
Cooperation:
● People working together to accomplish
common goals, a principle emphasized by
collectivist ideologies.
Rule of law:
● the idea that the law itself, and not an
individual, has the greatest power and that
all individuals are equal before the law and
subject to the same law
Individual rights and freedoms:
● The rights associated with personal liberty,
such as freedom of religion and of
association, and the right to life, liberty,
and the security of the person; a key value
of individualism and an important feature of
liberal democracies.

Public property: Private property:

● anything not privately owned by individuals.
Generally speaking, public property is
owned by the state or the community, and
managed according to the best interests of
the community.
● material possessions, including land, that
are owned by an individual or group. the
rights to private property and its protection
are central values of liberalism.

Collective interest: Economic freedom:

● The set of goals or ideals that members of a
group pursue together and that will benefit
the group as a whole, rather than benefiting
any one individual in the group.
collective responsibility:
● A group’s responsibility for the actions of all
of its individual members, as well as the
idea that individuals have a responsibility to
the group that is greater than their
individual responsibility.
Adherence to collective norms:
● Faithful observance of the norms or
standards imposed on members of a group
as a condition of membership in the group.
These norms can relate to conduct, values,
or appearance.
● The ability of individuals to act freely as
consumers and producers within an
economic system.
●
Self-interest:
● one’s personal interest or advantage;
seeking to satisfy one’s own needs.
Competition:
● The struggle among two or more people or
groups for an economic, social, or political
advantage. Supporters of a free-market
economy see competition as an incentive
for individuals and groups

Review the major components of collectivism and individualism in the chart above, and then
Governments should monitor
the Internet, and remove any
content that is offensive,
obscene or hurtful.
School uniforms should be
mandatory in all public
schools.
An individualist would say
self-interest and private property
Because the government shouldn't
interfere or monitor what the person
is doing on the internet.
An individualist would say
individualism and freedom
Because in their perspective they see
school uniforms as an irrelevant thing
to have in public school for it’s almost
like they are being restrained to who
they are from what they are wearing.
A collectivist would say
collective interest and collective
responsibility
Because the government should take
responsibility to protect the children
that go on social media and other sites
so they won’t get influenced by what
they see on the sites.
A collectivist would say
cooperation
Because with the school uniform the
people at the school would look like
they are family and that they would
work together at school as one whole
person.
College and university tuition
should be paid by the
government through tax
dollars.
complete the information in the chart below.
An individualist would say
Economic freedom
Because to some people there are
people who disagree on the fact that
the government would pay for school
tuition because there are some who
do not care for education and some
that actually care. So to some
individuals they don’t want to be
educated and that if the government
pays they would just waste their time.
A collectivist would say
collective responsibility
Because those who are going to
college or university with the support
of the government will receive a
proper education that will benefit
them in their future profession.

Part II- Political Spectrum

Complete the survey at http://www.politicalcompass.org/.
When complete review the WHOLE results page and :
1) include a screenshot of your results. Do your results surprise you?
2) towards the bottom of the page there are a list of people plotted based on their results. List at
least 3 of those people that are closest to you.
3) Pick one of these 3 people and include a small paragraph about them (DO NOT COPY AND
PASTE AND DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA) outlining their ideology (economic and or political)