Is society becoming too collectivist? (pros and cons, Canada, government, England)

[Luciano700]

Or not? I think so, especially with the rise of globalization, social media and idenity politics across the Western world...

[markg91359]

Originally Posted by Luciano700

Or not? I think so, especially with the rise of globalization, social media and idenity politics across the Western world...

Why don't we start simply? Give me a definition of "collectivist"?

[Luciano700]

Originally Posted by markg91359

Why don't we start simply? Give me a definition of "collectivist"?

Making everything a group priority rather than making it about an individual?

[Luciano700]

Fine, lets also discuss the cons and pros of both too while we're at it.

[srfoskey]

Don't lots of people still have individual priorities?

I feel like our society is as individualistic as ever, and it may be even more so as our country becomes increasingly diverse and tolerant overall.

Pros and Cons of Collectivism
Pros:
Can move farther as a community than as an individual
Poor and disadvantaged people get cared for
Unity against outside threats may be necessary (not so much in our culture, but hundreds of years ago, when people had to worry about invaders, this was important)

Cons:
People often want to do their own thing
Possibly little freedom to dissent

[Joey2k]

Yes. Too many people think it is society's and, by extension the government's, job to keep anyone from failing, or even from having a standard of living that isn't as high as everyone else's.

[jghorton]

'Collectivist' is an odd (if not, archaic?) term that sounds like another word for socialism or communism. Do you have an example of a specific group or nation that you would classify as 'collectivist'? (China, N. Korea; or perhaps Canada, England???)

Otherwise, I think there is a great deal of "good for society" rhetoric parroted by the politically correct media and liberal thinkers -- but, which isn't too popular among those who must ultimately pay for it.

[Old Gringo]

Originally Posted by Luciano700

Or not? I think so, especially with the rise of globalization, social media and idenity politics across the Western world...

Put down your cell phone and avoid Facebook on your computer.

It's all voluntary. You choose to enter that collective.

[ColoGuy]

Communism is collectivism. Killed over 100 million in the past century. Has never worked at all.

Yes...we have become a lot more collectivist and are consequently far too collectivist.

[Ttark]

Yes. Ever browsed any of the ham radio sites?

They throw the royal "we" around so much you'd think the ham radio hobby has been taken over by the Borg collective, or become a secular organized religion. In a way it kind of has.