Individualism vs. Collectivism — What's the Difference?

A philosophy emphasizing personal freedom and autonomy.

Building decisions based on what's best for the group.

A focus on individual rights over group needs.

Valuing group cohesion and harmony.

Valuing self-reliance and independence.

A philosophy emphasizing group goals over individual desires.

Prioritizing personal goals over group objectives.

Prioritizing the needs and desires of the collective.

Celebrating individual uniqueness and self-expression.

Emphasizing community, shared responsibilities, and interconnectedness.

Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology and social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and to value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government.

Collectivism is a value that is characterized by emphasis on cohesiveness among individuals and prioritization of the group over the self. Individuals or groups that subscribe to a collectivist worldview tend to find common values and goals as particularly salient and demonstrate greater orientation toward in-group than toward out-group.

Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence.

The principles or system of ownership and control of the means of production and distribution by the people collectively, usually under the supervision of a government.

Acts or an act based on this belief.

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are owned and controlled by the people collectively

A doctrine advocating freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of a person's economic goals.

The practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it.

A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group.

The doctrine that land and capital should be owned by society collectively or as a whole; communism.

The quality of being an individual; individuality.

Soviet communism

An individual characteristic; a quirk.

A political theory that the people should own the means of production

The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.

The moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that promotes independence and self-reliance of individual people, while opposing the interference with each person's choices by society, the state, or any other group or institution.

(logic) The doctrine that only individual things are real.

(philosophy) The doctrine that nothing exists but the individual self.

The quality of being individual; individuality; personality.

An excessive or exclusive regard to one's personal interest; self-interest; selfishness.

The principle, policy, or practice of maintaining individuality, or independence of the individual, in action; the theory or practice of maintaining the independence of individual initiative, action, and interests, as in industrial organization or in government.

The quality of being individual;

A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence

The doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs

It can, especially if group harmony is valued over individual self-expression.

Collectivism views individual desires secondary to the group's needs and objectives.

No, individualist societies can have strong communities, but they might prioritize personal freedoms within those communities.

Neither is inherently better; each has its strengths and weaknesses, and their effectiveness can depend on context.

Individualism primarily emphasizes personal freedom and individual rights.

No, Individualism values personal autonomy, but it doesn't necessarily equate to selfishness.

Individualist cultures might emphasize personal independence, while collectivist cultures often value family interdependence and cohesion.

They often emphasize teamwork, group harmony, and consensus in decision-making.

Yes, many people balance individual desires with group responsibilities in different situations.

While many Western societies lean towards Individualism, there are varied elements of Collectivism present.