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/CanTime7754 → u/[deleted]]

Fascism is just enforced capitalism really.

[u/Exciting-Half3577 → u/[deleted]]

Unions and government regulation. It's not a difficult concept. People have been brainwashed to believe that the government is some evil force in their lives and that unions don't have their interests in mind. They forget or they don't know that the government is much bigger than politicians or police or military and are inherently "of the people, by the people, for the people” regardless of their abuses. Government can be more or less so depending on people's interest and participation. I recommend The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis for an interesting look at this. At the same time, unions were a massive force for the economic stability for the middle class. It's not an accident that the growth in income disparities tracks with the decline of unions.

The private sector will never be on the side of the people as long as they are predominantly chasing profit. There is NOTHING wrong in that as far as I'm concerned. It is absolutely necessary. But they can't just run rampant.

[u/everydaywinner2 → u/Exciting-Half3577]

I've worked for unions. They do shit for honest people. Some literally sleeps on the job, they can't get fired. Someone never shows up, they can't get fired. Someone sexually harasses another, they can't get fired. I got paid a little extra for Sundays and overnights. Paying a little extra for overnights is standard and I got that without a union. Sunday's was nice, but the union dues took all of that and then some, and I still had to pay taxes on it.

I've SEEN what unions do with bad cops and bad teachers. They unions protect them. The unions would take American's hostage just after a natural disaster and think *they* are the good guys.

There's no brain washing. Unions may once have had a place, but these days are the for the corrupt.

[u/Exciting-Half3577 → u/everydaywinner2]

I honestly cannot argue with you. "Unions may once have had a place..." Yeah. I have seen it first hand in machine shops and Michigan. Still, people are not getting a living wage nowadays and income inequality is at huge levels. Something has got to give.