The GREAT debate: Collectivism vs. Individualism

In this short extract from a recent event hosted by the Free Market Foundation (FMF), Zakhele Mthembu (Legal Researcher, FMF), Philasande Shongwe (Management Consultant) and Bheki Mahlobo (Market Analyst) discuss the tension between the concepts of social collectivism and individualism.

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ABOUT THE FMF:

The Free Market Foundation (FMF) is a thinktank and independent public benefit organisation based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since 1975, the FMF has promoted and defended the market economy, private property rights and the rule of law – the basic ingredients for a free and prosperous society.

[gerhardstols]

Wonderful to listen to these bright minds.

[oodlesofnoodles]

I saw a clip once where Brendan O'Neill was on a panel discussing the pros and cons of identity politics. One of his many succinct points was very similar to what is discussed here. He said that individualism and universalism (distinctly different from collectivism) are not only compatible but very complimentary. The concepts behind universalism (John Stuart Mill among others, if I'm not mistaken) do not override the individual identity but instead see the strong individual as the building block of a strong community. Whereas collectivism seeks to break down individual identity because it posits that collective strength can _only_ come about through conformism and is thus abhorrently destructive in a profoundly psychological way.

[davidmcfarlane]

Tolerance of the consequences of free will, between individuals is all that is needed.A sense of identity as a nation is something that South Africa does not have, this is a consequence of bad politics.