POLITICAL SCIENCE

Organization of Capitalist Society according to Individualistic Values

Organization of Capitalist Society according to Individualistic Values

Introduction

Though there are many definitions of modernity but when it comes to politics and economics, modernity is defined by an affinity of economic expansion established on economic specialization principles and sustained global growth of capitalist system of production (Shinar and Ende 2005, pp: 27-49). In modern world the sacredness or importance of individual's social and political rights has increased. Modernity values each individual as a significant part of the modern life and it has become the duty of modern nation-state to protect every individual. Considering an individual as an independent and self-sufficient instrument possibly has become the most essential feature of modernity and this idea has also strengthened through capitalist and democratic processes which have become the dominant part around the globe (Smith 2001, pp: 14-25).

Discussion

Before explaining the role of individualism in capitalist societies, it is essential to know the concepts of individualism and collectivism. Hofstede (1991) suggests that individualism is valid to a society where the bonds between individuals are weak and ever one looks after either himself or his/her immediate family. While the societies in which people are incorporated into the cohesive and strong in-groups throughout their life and continue to protect each other in exchange for unconditional loyalty is pertained by collectivism. Associating the theories of modernism, he (1991) also claimed that the wealthy, industrialized and urban societies are more inclined towards becoming individualistic while those who believe in collectivism remain poorer or rural societies. The strong association of individualism with the support for capitalism and values of competition, self-reliance, the economic element of individualism should also forecast the attitudes of individuals towards reorganization. At the individual stage, the principles of economic individualism are generally associated with that of capitalism (Lukes, 1973, pp: 88). The values of individualism are also supposed to support capitalism, lesser role of government and laissez fair.

Though the concept of individualism emerged from England but it gained more fame in the United States and now it is considered to be an essential feature of the American Society (Bozeman, 2007). Initially the autonomy of individualism for American Society was an ideological connection between liberty and property and later it became a link between democracy and capitalism (Brown, 2005, pp: 145). In America, the individualism also encourages the ideals of equality, freedom along with the self-interest, self-reliance, achievement, ambition, ...