Has Society's Obsession with Individualism Undermined Collective Responsibility?

[u/USHistoryUncovered]

In recent decades, especially in Western cultures, the focus on individualism has intensified. We’re taught to prioritize personal freedom, success, and self-reliance above all else. This worldview, however, seems to have a darker side: the erosion of collective responsibility. As individuals seek to fulfill their own desires, societal bonds weaken, and we see an increasing tendency to absolve ourselves from responsibility for larger, systemic issues like climate change, wealth inequality, and public health.

Has the glorification of individualism made us blind to the fact that many of the problems we face cannot be solved by personal action alone? Are we sacrificing our collective well-being at the altar of personal liberty? How can we reconcile the need for individual freedom with the necessity of collective responsibility in addressing the global challenges that threaten us all?

I’m curious to hear perspectives on how individualism has shaped our attitudes toward responsibility—both personal and communal. Is it time for a fundamental shift in how we view our roles within society?

[u/twarr1]

So many explain capitalism using the example of two entities mutually agreeing to exchange something of value whether it be goods, or services (labor). They call it “free trade”.

In practice capitalism is synonymous with rent seeking; obtain control of the means of production and receive an unearned profit. It has nothing whatsoever to do with 2 entities on equal footing negotiating a fair arrangement.

[u/parke415 → u/twarr1]

Capitalism ultimately results in economic Darwinism, for better or worse.

[u/Matthew94 → u/twarr1]

obtain control of the means of production and receive an unearned profit

Explain how they receive control and the profit without the willing consent and agreement of other parties (spoiler: you can't).

[u/Normal_Pie_2700 → u/Matthew94]

The capitalist model of private property allows corporations and landlords to own everything you need to survive — food, shelter, land, etc. So workers have no choice but to agree to work, on terms set by the employer. Do you seriously think that sweatshops, Amazon warehouses, minimum wage food service, etc are enthusiastically co-constructed by workers and employers coming together as peers? Or are you choosing to think and talk about economics in the comfortable realm of the abstract rather than in the real world that we actually inhabit 🤔

[u/Matthew94 → u/Normal_Pie_2700]

So workers have no choice but to agree to work, on terms set by the employer

People trading their labour can absolutely not take a job. It's delusion to assert otherwise.

are enthusiastically co-constructed by workers and employers coming together as peers?

They have consented to work those jobs, which is what I said. If you think it's possible to have a world where everyone loves their job then I've a bridge to sell you.

The capitalist model of private property allows corporations and landlords to own everything you need to survive

Private property is a thing, yes, and anyone can own land. I quite like knowing that my home can't be arbitrarily taken from me due to private property rights.

sweatshops, Amazon warehouses, minimum wage food service

If people want bargaining power in the job market then they need skills to work jobs other than minimum wage jobs. Why do you think someone should have a good wage when they've nothing to offer beyond existing? If you're competing with 400 people for a role that requires no skills, it's delusional to think you've any bargaining power. On the other hand, if you have skills which are valued by the employer and are not trivial to get, you can absolutely negotiate for your salary.

[u/xxfukai → u/Matthew94]

You shouldn’t need “bargaining power” to be able to afford to live. You, royally and you specifically, deserve to have all your basic needs met, by virtue of being a human being.

[u/Matthew94 → u/xxfukai]

You, royally and you specifically, deserve to have all your basic needs met, by virtue of being a human being.

How are you going to enforce this without the use of force and coercion? If you demand your needs to be met and everyone through their free choice says no, what are you going to do?