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'For the descriptive terminology as used in anthropology and psychology, see Collectivist and Individualist cultures. For the magazine, see Collectivism (magazine). Collectivism, in general, is a term used to describe a theoretical or practical emphasis on the group, as opposed to (and seen by many of its opponents to be at the expense of) the individual. Some psychologists define collectivism as a syndrome of attitudes and behaviors based on the belief that the basic unit of survival lies within a group, not the individual. This article discusses collectivism as a common theme that spans a broad category of non-individualistic philosophies, many of which significantly differ from each other in other ways. Some types of collectivism state that the good of the group is more important than the good of the individual, while others argue that, since any group is ultimately made up of individuals, the individual incidentally serves his own interests by serving the group's interests (in other words, as the group prospers, all members of the group prosper). Detractors from this latter position argue that it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine that what is beneficial for a group is always beneficial for every individual that comprises it. Collectivism may also be associated with altruism since what is good for the group may conceivably require the sacrifice of at least one individual's self-interest. Collectivism is considered diametrically opposed to individualism. However, both collectivism and individualism may be interpreted differently by different people. In some cases, the same people may characterize themselves as both individualists and collectivists, depending on the situation.
PoliticsSome political collectivists hold that different groups have competing interests, and that the individual's interests and characteristics are in fact tied up with the interests and characteristics of his or her group. In this line of thought, differences between groups are considered more significant than differences between individuals within groups. Other political collectivists emphasize the notions of equality and solidarity, and see all human beings as part of the same group, with similar interests. They maintain that competition and rivalry between individuals or smaller groups is overall counter-productive or detrimental, and should therefore be replaced with some form of cooperation. There are also collectivists who combine the two views presented above, arguing, for example, that the present-day situation is the one presented in the first view (there are several competing groups), but that we should strive to reach the situation presented in the second view (one large cooperating group). EconomicsCollectivism is a broad category, however, generally speaking, collectivism in the field of economics holds that things should be owned by the group (and presumably used for the benefit of all) rather than being owned by individuals (private property). Central to this view is the concept of the commons, as opposed to private property. Some apply this only to capital good and land, while other collectivists argue that all valued commodities should be regarded as public goods, and are difficult to, or should not be privatized, such as environmental goods, national defense, law enforcement and information goods. Communists believe that not only the means of production, but the produce of labor should be collectivized and wages abolished. The Florence Conference of the Federation of the International, in laying out the principles of anarchist-communism states: "Italian Federation of the International considers the collective property of the products of labour as the necessary complement to the collectivist programmew/." Relying on individual choice for the provision of public goods is seen to lead to market failure and the free rider problem. Collective action, enforced by authorities, social pressure or coercion, is thus seen to be the only reliable means of ensuring a supply of a public good. Collectivist societiesThere are many examples of societies around the world which have characterized themselves or have been characterized by outsiders as "collectivist". On the one hand, there are the communist states, which have often collectivized most economic sectors (and agriculture in particular). On the other hand, there are Israeli kibbutzim (voluntary communes where people live and farm together without private ownership), and communities such as the Freetown Christiania in Denmark (a small autonomous political experiment centered around an abandoned military installation in Copenhagen; Christiania has laws abolishing private property). Anti-collectivismAs noted in the opening paragraphs of this article, the term "collectivism" itself is more often used by anti-collectivists than by anyone else. Some, such as Ayn Rand and many influenced by her, supporters of an ideology called Objectivism, claim that collectivism is fallacious in theory and immoral in practice. They further argue that many (perhaps most) political ideologies (other than Objectivism itself) are forms of collectivism or at least contain significant collectivist elements. Objectivism has been criticized by some for its emphasis on emulating Rand rather than being a true individual with one's own thoughts and feelings. This would, ironically, make Objectivism similar to collectivism. Other anti-collectivists make specific objections to specific issues that they see as part of collectivism. Many anti-collectivists argue that collectivist emphasis on the group suppresses individual rights (while many collectivists argue that their policy is aimed at maximizing the rights and benefits of all - or most - individuals within a group). Democracy can be seen as a form of collectivism when the majority group is able to diminish the liberty of individuals in the minority, simple because they constitute a majority. Hence, opponents of collectivism argue that only individuals can legitimately have rights, not groups, and advocate constitutional protections of individal rights from majority rule. Even more radical anti-collectivist movement, anarcho-capitalism, rejects any form of involuntary association, advocating abolition of State, and argues that protection of individual rights from the State by constitutional means is insufficient as long as State is empowered to interpret and change its constitution, citing the historical record of diminishing constitutional protections in the United States and elsewhere. In The strange death of capitalist individualism, J. A. Banks argues that "liberal capitalism" has been succeeded by a system of "private collectivism", based upon large, hierarchical, and often transnational corporations. These corporations regard their employees and even their high-paid executives as dispensable, interchangeable commodities, ignoring their individuality and only purchasing labour that requires a minimum set of skills. Oligarchic directors with vastly inflated salaries lead from the top of steep corporate hierarchies and are often unaccountable even to shareholders. Private collectivism contrasts with the traditional capitalist mode of production, in which individual capitalists employed workers, invested in capital and collected profits directly, rather than a collective organization (the joint stock corporation). Anti-capitalists generally see such developments as the inevitable result of capitalism, and argue that the idealized version of capitalism that is supported by Banks and others is something that never truly existed, cannot exist, or cannot be sustained over time. Free-market advocates argue that the corporate capitalism is a result of pervasive collectivist government intervention, and is impossible in the free market. Quotes"For if the nineteenth century was a century of individualism it may be expected that this the 20th century will be the century of collectivism and hence the century of the Statew/w/" - Benito Mussolini Related TopicsWhat does Collectivism mean ? Search with Google !Article on Collectivism, category, different spelling or sense |
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