Individualism, Collectivism and Selfishness

I’ve heard it often mentioned by proponents of collectivist ideals that the individualistic ideal is a selfish way to look at the world. It makes sense right? If you’re always looking out for number 1, then it follows that you’re a selfish prick and don’t care about anyone else, right? Wrong.

Individualism is simply an acknowledgement of the importance of the individual when looking at the concerns of society, and puts the individual’s rights at the top of the priority list. What this means is that the acknowledgement applies to everyone within that society, it is all-inclusive and therefore it’s the opposite of selfish to promote the individual. Every single person in an individualistic society has power, and everyone has equal consideration under the law.

Collectivism on the other hand is actually a very selfish line of thinking in my view. Its proponents assume that there is an in-group (or an in-individual like a monarch or dictator) whose decision-making ability is superior that of everyone else in determining what the “greatest good” is for the collective, and even to better determine for the individual what his or her greatest good is. Everyone must conform, or else, and only a few actually have any power. The individual’s personality is erased, and the personalities of those in power are imposed upon them. This system is the epitome of selfish because only a few ultimately benefit at the expense of everyone else, and most people in a collectivistic society are relatively powerless.

What seems intuitive isn’t always correct, and in this case, it’s completely wrong. Consideration for the individual under the law is actually very altruistic. Collectivism erases the individual and is actually very selfish for the elites who run such a system. Regardless of what someone tells you, collectivism will mean misery for most.