Individualism Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is individualism?
Individualism is the belief that personal freedom, independence, and self-reliance are most important. It values the rights and choices of the individual over the group and supports the idea that people should take responsibility for their own success and well-being.
Individualism encourages people to take initiative and responsibility for their own success, which can foster ambition, resilience, and self-improvement -
Individualism promotes the belief that people are in control of their own lives and can improve their circumstances through effort and determination. This mindset encourages individuals to set goals, work hard, and take responsibility for their actions. As a result, it can lead to greater ambition, resilience in the face of setbacks, and a focus on self-improvement, as people are motivated to achieve success on their own merit rather than relying on external support.
EXAMPLE 1
A study by the Centre for Social Justice (2019) noted that role models and personal effort significantly impacted outcomes in deprived areas — particularly where youth were encouraged to believe in self-reliance. This can lead to a “can-do” culture, where people from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to believe that improvement is possible.
Individualism aligns with the idea of meritocracy — where individuals are rewarded based on talent and effort rather than social background -
Individualism supports the idea that success should depend on a person’s talent and effort, not their social class, family background, or connections. This aligns with meritocracy, where individuals are given opportunities and rewards based on what they achieve through hard work and ability. It promotes fairness by focusing on personal achievement rather than inherited advantage.
EXAMPLE 2
The Social Mobility Commission (2020) found that while overall social mobility in the UK remains low, interventions like university outreach programs and apprenticeships have enabled high-achieving students from poorer backgrounds to access top careers. Incentivizes hard work and competition, potentially improving national productivity.
Individualism assumes that everyone has equal starting points and opportunities, which is often not the case -
It fails to address deep-rooted structural inequalities such as poverty, class stratification, institutional racism, or regional underinvestment.
REBUTTAL EXAMPLE 1
The Social Mobility Commission (2023) reported that social class remains a major determinant of life chances in the UK. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack access to quality education, extracurricular activities, and networking opportunities. Without addressing these barriers, individualism places unrealistic expectations on people who face systemic disadvantages. It can obscure the need for broader social reform by making inequality seem like a personal failure.
Individualism downplays the importance of community, solidarity, and collective action — all of which are often crucial in addressing complex social problems -
Individualism focuses on personal responsibility and success, which can overlook the value of working together to solve problems. Many social issues, like poverty or inequality, require collective efforts—such as community support, public services, and government intervention. By emphasizing individual action, this approach can weaken social bonds and reduce support for shared solutions.
REBUTTAL EXAMPLE 2
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mutual aid groups, community food banks, and collective healthcare efforts proved more effective than relying on individual action alone. The Resolution Foundation (2021) highlighted the role of strong social infrastructure in helping communities recover from economic shocks — a counterpoint to individualistic policy approaches.
