After the American Revolution, a generation of political leaders pledged to protect personal liberties and safeguard individual rights against intrusions. These principles have guided history ever since and continue to shape current politics today.
The Politics of Individualism delves into these revolutionary social shifts, explaining their origins and what they signify for democracy today.
What is individualism?
Individualism is a philosophical position, political philosophy, ideology and social outlook which emphasizes the value of each individual. It is often associated with individualist economics and politics as well as liberal values which prioritize personal rights and liberties.
Individualism is defined by self-reliance, or the freedom to live life on one’s own terms and make decisions for oneself. This kind of individualism can be both liberating and satisfying.
Individualism also fosters a sense of self-expression, or not following the herd. This spirit of individualism has been celebrated throughout history by many individuals who have broken away from traditional norms.
In American cultural contexts, people develop behavioral strategies to buffer against individualism’s negative interpersonal consequences through long-term socialization (Nisbett, 2003; Dimaggio & Markus, 2010). Unfortunately, this is not the case in Japanese cultural settings. This could be because Japan has only recently become more individualistic, leaving them without adequate strategies to combat its effects.
What is democratic individualism?
Democratic individualism is the concept of freedom as it pertains to political and social life. It typically advocates for individual rights, the rule of law, secularism, economic liberalism, and private property ownership.
Individualism is the principle that individuals must take control of their own lives, rather than relying on government or other external agencies for assistance.
Furthermore, it promotes the idea that individuals should have the freedom to explore various roles in life and make their own decisions. Whether these principles are right or wrong remains an open debate.
This concept has the potential for great good, and yet it must be recognized that it could be misused against humanity in an unjust manner. It could serve as a convenient excuse to ignore human diversity and undermine morality and religion altogether.
What is antidemocratic individualism?
Individualism in all its forms has its roots in democracy. Whether we look at democratic individualism as an idea or its evolution as part of democratic theory and practice, individualism has its roots in our democratic heritage.
Plato is unquestionably the greatest scholar of democracy, and his writings offer valuable insights into what drives individualist democracy. However, one aspect of that impulse that is often overlooked when discussing democratic ideals is Plato’s emphasis on individualism.
One of the hallmarks of democracy is its willingness to assume multiple roles in life. It encourages us to challenge traditional notions about roles, particularly those which have defined people exhaustively in profound contrastive ways.
When someone believes they are more than their role, function, or place in society, it gives them freedom to pursue truly human pursuits and even choose them for themselves. This can be one of the most energizing experiences for a soul.
What is the just city?
The Just City is an utopian experiment created by time-travelling goddess Pallas Athene. Here, ten thousand children and a few hundred adult supervisors from all periods of history live together on a Mediterranean island.
It is a place that upholds the dignity of all individuals, celebrates diversity and allows people to live in distinct enclaves within its city limits, encouraging a sense of belonging and acceptance for all.
Establishing a just city poses challenges due to the tension that exists between these principles. A just city requires new urban practices where key public, private and philanthropic leaders collaborate differently, use impact investing dollars strategically and use technology for all residents to be engaged in solutions.
Professor Toni Griffin and her research team create tools to assess how design and planning contributes to conditions of justice in cities, neighborhoods and the public realm. These include the Just City Index, Just City Indicators for the Public Realm, tools for civic engagement, design case studies and masterclasses.
