What does individualism mean?
Individualism is the belief or practice that individuals should be autonomous, self-directed, and free to pursue their own goals and protect their own rights. It can describe a political philosophy, an economic approach, or a personal attitude characterized by independence and resistance to excessive conformity. In discussions of economics and public policy, individualism is often associated with private responsibility, property rights, and limited reliance on collective institutions, though interpretations vary. The term may also carry a critical connotation when it is used to suggest that personal freedom is prioritized without adequate concern for social inequality or the needs of others. Its antonym, collectivism, emphasizes the group or community as the central social unit, but the contrast does not always imply that one side completely rejects the other.
nounIndividualism is a political, social, and philosophical outlook that emphasizes individual autonomy, personal independence, and individual rights, often viewing the individual as the primary unit of society. It may also describe an approach that prioritizes personal goals and responsibilities over collective goals or social obligations.
- A philosophy or social outlook that emphasizes individual autonomy, independence, and personal rights.
- An emphasis on individual needs, goals, or achievements, especially in contrast to collective interests.
- A tendency to act independently rather than conform to group expectations.
"The debate between individualism and collectivism remains central to discussions of social policy and economic responsibility."
"Her individualism led her to start a business in a field that had traditionally been closed to women."
"The economist examined how individualism shaped the country's approach to taxation and welfare."
Usually used when referring to different versions or manifestations of the doctrine.
"The novel explores rival individualisms in a society undergoing rapid change."
Individualism puts the individual at the center of social life, but its strongest versions also ask what responsibilities accompany personal freedom.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does individualism come from?
Individualism is a late 19th-century English formation built from individual plus the suffix -ism, meaning a doctrine or principle. The adjective individual comes through French from Latin individualis, derived from individuare, “to make individual or indivisible,” and ultimately from Latin individuum, “an atom” or “separate thing.” The related terms individualist and individualistic developed alongside the political and philosophical use of the noun. The word’s development reflects the growth of modern accounts that placed individual freedom and personal autonomy at the center of social and political thought.
Related word forms
How individualism is actually used
Individualism is generally neutral when describing a broad outlook, but it can carry a negative connotation when it suggests indifference to community, inequality, or social responsibility. The meaning varies across political and cultural contexts.
Easily confused with individualism
Individualism is a social or political philosophy, whereas individuation is the psychological process of developing a distinct sense of self.