Individualism

Individualism emerged during the Enlightenment as a challenge to the established order. Feudal societies attributed social roles according to birth, status and obligation. Individualism was a critique of the societies that existed up to then, an assertion of the rights of every person to choose their own course for themselves, and a justification for resistance against oppressive governments. Individuals are independent and self-determining. They are not subject to obligations and restrictions imposed by birth or origin. Individualism is a claim for human dignity, and the rights of people to develop according to their own lights. People are possessed of rights that protect them from the interference of others. The discourse of individualism is closely linked with liberal thought. The core principle of liberalism is that individuals have rights. In Locke's writing, those rights were to life, liberty and ‘estates’ or property; in the US Constitution, they became rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Liberals argued for civil liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly and worship. Individual rights were basic to a defence of diversity and difference.

All of this is still true. Over time, however, individualism has also come to stand for something quite different. The individual has come to represent someone who is selfish and isolated, who has no responsibilities to others.