individualism

individualism
   A belief in the primacy of the individual. Classical liberalism and New Right thinking in the 1980s and after have both stressed the supreme importance of the individual over any social group or collective body. Margaret Thatcher’s observation that ‘there is no such thing as society’ is an indication of individualist thinking. Individualism stresses the virtues of independence, perseverance and self-reliance. It is therefore at the opposite end of the spectrum to collectivism but it can exist in any community which allows individuals to respect other individuals and their right to personal liberty.

Glossary of UK Government and Politics . 2013.

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  • Individualism — • The tendency to magnify individual liberty, as against external authority, and individual activity, as against associated activity Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Individualism     Individualism …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • individualism — INDIVIDUALÍSM s.n. 1. Denumire generică pentru concepţiile etice care iau ca punct de plecare individul izolat, independent de societate. 2. Atitudine a celui care subordonează interesele obşteşti celor personale, care este preocupat exclusiv de… …   Dicționar Român

  • Individualism — In di*vid u*al*ism, n. [Cf. F. individualisme.] [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being individual; individuality; personality. [1913 Webster] 2. An excessive or exclusive regard to one s personal interest; self interest;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • individualism — UK US /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm/ noun [U] POLITICS, ECONOMICS ► the principle that the single person is more important than the group and that people should work and own things for their own advantage: »What remains of the public realm in an era of… …   Financial and business terms

  • individualism — I noun attribute, badge, brand, character, characteristic, credentials, differential, disposition, distinctive feature, earmark, feature, identity, idiosyncrasy, independence, individuality, leaning, lineament, mark, nature, originality,… …   Law dictionary

  • individualism — (n.) self centered feeling, 1827, from INDIVIDUAL (Cf. individual) + ISM (Cf. ism). As a social philosophy (opposed to communism and socialism) first attested 1851 in writings of J.S. Mill …   Etymology dictionary

  • individualism — ► NOUN 1) independence and self reliance. 2) a social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals. DERIVATIVES individualist noun & adjective individualistic adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • individualism — [in΄də vij′o͞o əl iz΄əm] n. [Fr individualisme] 1. individual character; individuality 2. an individual peculiarity 3. the doctrine that individual freedom in economic enterprise should not be restricted by governmental or social regulation;… …   English World dictionary

  • Individualism — Part of a series on Individualism …   Wikipedia

  • individualism — /in deuh vij ooh euh liz euhm/, n. 1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual. 2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action. 3. the pursuit of individual rather than… …   Universalium

  • individualism — Broadly any set of ideas emphasizing the importance of the individual and the individual s interests, the term is used to characterize a range of ideas, philosophies, and doctrines. It is, for example, employed to describe a political philosophy… …   Dictionary of sociology

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