Individualism and collectivism are two competing philosophical and social movements that have divided the world for centuries.Their origins can be traced back to ancient times.They are founded on different interpretations of the value and place of freedom and equality in society.While their rivalry is ancient, it is also evolving and taking on ever new forms.
Their evolution reflects a progression of global society from physical to vital-social and increasing mental levels and forms of consciousness.The clash of values takes many forms in different cultures whelen arges spotlight and settings, but they all arise from the inability to reconcile apparently contradictory values and view them as complementary aspects of a greater truth.Today the unreconciled conflict is exemplified by the growing rivalry between Sneakers for Men - Grey - Canvas Mesh Athletic Running Shoes the pluto-democratic capitalism in America and state capitalism in China, but the fissures run within countries and cultures as well as between them.This article traces the development of individualism in the West and positive and negative characteristics associated with its more extreme manifestations in order to understand both the strengths that perpetuate it and the weaknesses that continuously erode its stability.
It points to the emergence of a reconciling formula based on a shift from individualism to mature individuality and the prevailing struggle within democratic societies in recent times.