Collectivism is a term used to describe any moral, political, or social outlook, that stresses human interdependence and the importance of a collective, rather than the importance of separate individuals & individualism. Not to be confused with Interconnectivity or Interconnectedness. A collective is a group of people who share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest or work together on a specific project(s to achieve a common objective As commonly used, individual refers to a Person or to any specific object in a collection Collectivists focus on community and society, and seek to give priority to group goals over individual goals. In biological terms a community is a group of interacting Organisms sharing an environment. A society is a Population of Humans characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals that share a distinctive Culture and Institutions ^[1] The philosophical underpinnings of collectivism are for some related to holism or organicism - the view that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Distinguish from the suffix -holism, which describes addictions Organicism is a philosophical orientation that asserts that reality is best understood as an organic whole Specifically, a society as a whole can be seen as having more meaning or value than the separate individuals that make up that society. A society is a Population of Humans characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals that share a distinctive Culture and Institutions ^[2] Collectivism is widely seen as being diametrically opposed to individualism. Notably these views are almost always combined in systems.

Politics

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract is considered an example of collectivist political philosophy, which maintains that human society is organized along the lines of an implicit contract between members of society, and that the terms of this contract (e. The Social Contract Or Principles of Political Right (1762 by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is the book in which Rousseau theorized about Social contracts Social contract describes a broad class of republican theories whose subjects are implied agreements by which people form Nations and maintain a Social order g. the powers of government, the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens, etc. ) are rightfully decided by the "general will" - that is, the will of the people. The general will ( volonté générale) first enunciated by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is a concept in Political philosophy referring to the desire or interest This idea is part of the philosophical foundation of democracy and inspired the early socialist and communist philosophers such as Hegel and Marx. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the Means of production and distribution Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based ^[3]

According to Moyra Grant, in political philosophy "collectivism" refers to any philosophy or system that sees any kind of group (such as a class, nation, race, society, state, etc) as more important than the individual. ^[4] According to Encyclopædia Britannica, "collectivism has found varying degrees of expression in the 20th century in such movements as socialism, communism, and fascism. The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the Means of production and distribution Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based Fascism is a totalitarian nationalist and corporatist ideology The least collectivist of these is social democracy, which seeks to reduce the inequities of unrestrained capitalism by government regulation, redistribution of income, and varying degrees of planning and public ownership. Social democracy is a Political ideology of the left and centre-left Capitalism is the Economic system in which the Means of production are owned by private Persons and operated for Profit and where In socialist systems collectivist economics are carried to their furthest extreme, with a minimum of private ownership and a maximum of planned economy. A planned economy or directed economy is an Economic system in which the Government or Workers' councils manages the Economy. "^[5]

However, political collectivism is not necessarily associated with support for states, governments, or other hierarchical institutions. There is also a variant of anarchism which calls itself collectivism (see collectivist anarchism). Anarchism is a Political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which support the elimination of all compulsory Government, i Collectivist anarchism (also known as anarcho-collectivism) is an umbrella term embracing two Anarchist schools of thought the first school is Socialist Collectivist anarchists, particularly Mikhail Bakunin, were among the earliest critics of authoritarian communism. Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin ( - July 1 1876) was a well-known Russian Revolutionary and theorist of Collectivist anarchism. State Socialism is a term introduced to describe the type of government in countries ruled by communist parties such as the former USSR, which are generally known as Communist They agree with communists that the means of production should be expropriated from private owners and converted to collective property,^[6] but they advocate the ownership of this collective property by a loose group of decentralized communes rather than a government. Nevertheless, unlike anarcho-communists, they supported a wage system and markets in non-capital goods. Thus, Bakunin's "Collectivist Anarchism," not withstanding the title, is seen as a blend of individualism and collectivism. ^[7] Anarcho-communism is a more comprehensive form of non-state collectivism which advocates not only the collectivization of the means of production but of the products of labor as well. Means Of Production is a compilation of Aim 's early 12" and EP releases recorded between 1995 and 1998 ^[8] According to anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin, "And as long as dwelling-houses, fields, and factories belong to isolated owners, men will have to pay them, in one way or another, for being allowed to work in the fields or factories, or for living in the houses. The owners will accept to be paid by the workers in gold, in paper-money, or in cheques exchangeable for all sorts of commodities. But how can we defend labour-notes, this new form of wagedom, when we admit that houses, fields, and factories will no longer be private property, and that they will belong to the commune or the nation?"^[9]

Economics

Generally speaking, collectivism in the field of economics holds that some things should be owned by the group and used for the benefit of all rather than being owned by individuals. Central to this view is the concept of the commons, as opposed to private property. Common land (a common) is a piece of land owned by one person but over which other people can exercise certain traditional rights such as allowing their livestock to graze Property is any physical or virtual entity that is owned by an individual Some collectivists apply this principle only to the means of production, while others argue that all valued commodities, like environmental goods, should be regarded as public goods and placed under public ownership. Means Of Production is a compilation of Aim 's early 12" and EP releases recorded between 1995 and 1998 In Economics, a public good is a good that is non-rivaled and non-excludable. Public ownership (also called government ownership, state ownership or state property) refers to Government Ownership of any

Collectivism in economics may or may not involve a state as a manager and steward of collective property. A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. For instance, anarcho-communists, who argue for the immediate abolition of the state, wish to place all goods under communal access without a state or manager. They argue that since, according to them, the value of labor cannot truly be measured, individuals should be free to produce and consume to their own self-determined needs. In 1876, at the Florence Conference of the Italian Federation of the International, where the principles of anarcho-communism were first laid out, it was stated:

"The Italian Federation considers the collective property of the products of labour as the necessary complement to the collectivist programme, the aid of all for the satisfaction of the needs of each being the only rule of production and consumption which corresponds to the principle of solidarity. Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year "

Anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin believed that a lack of collectivization of goods would be a dis-service to individuals ^[10].

Typology

Collectivism can be typified as "horizontal collectivism", wherein equality is emphasized and people engage in sharing and cooperation, or "vertical collectivism", wherein hierarchy is emphasized and people submit to authorities to the point of self-sacrifice. ^[11] Horizontal collectivism is based on the assumption that each individual is more or less equal, while vertical collectivism assumes that individuals are fundamentally different from each other. ^[12] Social anarchist Alexander Berkman, who was a horizontal collectivist, argued that equality does not imply a lack of unique individuality, but an equal amount of freedom and equal opportunity to develop one's own skills and talents,

Indeed, horizontal collectivists argue that the idea of individuals sacrificing themselves for the "group" or "greater good" is nonsensical, arguing that groups are made up of individuals (including oneself) and are not a cohesive, monolithic entity separate from the self. But most social anarchists do not see themselves as collectivists or individualists, viewing both as illusory ideologies based on fiction ^[14].

Horizontal collectivists tend to favour democratic decision-making, while vertical collectivists believe in a strict chain of command. Horizontal collectivism stresses common goals, interdependence and sociability. Vertical collectivism stresses the integrity of the in-group (e. In Sociology, an ingroup is a social group towards which an individual feels Loyalty and respect usually due to membership in the group g. the family or the nation), expects individuals to sacrifice themselves for the in-group if necessary, and promotes competition between different in-groups. ^[12] Harry Triandis and Michele Gelfand argue that horizontal collectivist societies are those based on communal living, such as Israeli kibbutzim, while vertical collectivist societies are for example Stalinist and fascistcountries or traditional communities with strong patriarchal leaders; vertical collectivism also correlates with Right-wing Authoritarianism. A kibbutz ( Hebrew: קיבוץ קִבּוּץ lit "gathering clustering" plural kibbutzim) is a collective community in Stalinism is the political regime named after Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union from 1929–1953 Fascism is a totalitarian nationalist and corporatist ideology Right-wing authoritarianism ( RWA) is a Personality and ideological variable studied in political, social, and personality ^[12]

Collectivist societies

There are many examples of societies around the world which have characterized themselves or have been characterized by outsiders as "collectivist".

On the one hand, there are the Communist states, which have often Nationalized most economic sectors (and agriculture in particular). Communist state is a term used by many Political scientists to describe a Form of government in which the State operates under a one-party system On the other hand, there are Israeli kibbutzim (voluntary communes where people live and farm together without private ownership), and communities such as the Freetown Christiania in Denmark (a small anarchist political experiment centered around an abandoned military installation in Copenhagen; Christiania has laws abolishing private property). A kibbutz ( Hebrew: קיבוץ קִבּוּץ lit "gathering clustering" plural kibbutzim) is a collective community in A farm is an area of land including various structures devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food ( Produce, Grains, or Livestock Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania (Danish Fristaden Christiania) is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents covering 34 hectares The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Etymology The word bases is first recorded in English language from c Copenhagen (ˌkəʊpənˈheɪgən ˌkəʊpənˈhɑːgən ˈkəʊpənˌheɪgən ˈkəʊpənˌhɑːgən kʰøb̥ənˈhɑʊ̯ˀn kʰøb̥m̩ˈhɑʊ̯ˀn is the capital and largest city Property is any physical or virtual entity that is owned by an individual

Democracy, with its emphasis on notions of social contract and the collective will of the people, has been characterized by some as a form of (political) collectivism. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system Social contract describes a broad class of republican theories whose subjects are implied agreements by which people form Nations and maintain a Social order

Native American societies are considered to be collectivist too. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States.

Criticism of collectivism

There are two basic objections to collectivism, which come from the ideas of liberal individualism. One is that collectivism stifles individuality and diversity by insisting upon a common social identity, whether it's nationalism, racialism, feminism, or some other group focus. The other is that collectivism is linked to statism and the diminution of freedom when political authority is used to advance collectivist goals. Statism (or Etatism) is a very loose and often Derogatory term that is used to describe Specific instances of state intervention in personal social ^[15]

Criticism of collectivism comes from individualists, such as classical liberals, libertarians, individualist anarchists, and Objectivists. Classical liberalism (also known as traditional liberalism, Laissez-faire liberalism, Market liberalism or in much of the world Libertarianism is a term used by a broad spectrum of political philosophies which prioritize individual Liberty and seek to minimize or even abolish the Individualist anarchism refers to any of several traditions that hold that "individual conscience and the pursuit of self-interest should not be constrained by any collective Objectivism is a Philosophy developed by Ayn Rand in the 20th century that encompasses positions on Metaphysics, Epistemology, Perhaps the most notable modern criticism of collectivism is the one put forward by Friedrich Hayek in his book The Road to Serfdom, published in 1944 and translated into approximately 20 languages. Friedrich August von Hayek CH ( May 8, 1899 March 23, 1992) was an Austrian British Economist The Road to Serfdom is a book written by Friedrich Hayek (recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1974 which has significantly

Ayn Rand, founder of Objectivism, was a particularly vocal opponent who believed the philosophy of collectivism led to totalitarianism. Ayn Rand (ˈaɪn ˈrænd &ndash March 6 1982 born Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum (Алиса Зиновьевна Розенбаум was a Russian born American Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a concept used to describe Political systems where a State regulates nearly every aspect of public and private She argued that "collectivism means the subjugation of the individual to a group," and that "throughout history, no tyrant ever rose to power except on the claim of representing the common good. " She further demonstrated that "horrors which no man would dare consider for his own selfish sake are perpetrated with a clear conscience by altruists who justify themselves by the common good. Altruism is selfless concern for the welfare of others It is a traditional Virtue in many cultures and central to many religious traditions "^[16] (The "altruists" Rand refers to are not those who practice simple benevolence or charity, but rather those who believe in August Comte's ethical doctrine of altruism which holds that there is "a moral and political obligation of the individual to sacrifice his own interests for the sake of a greater social good. Auguste Comte (full name Isidore Marie Auguste François Xavier Comte; 17 January 1798 – 5 September 1857 was a French thinker who is generally credited for having Altruism is an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral Obligation to help serve or benefit others if necessary at the sacrifice "). ^[17]

Anti-collectivists often argue that all authoritarian and totalitarian societies are collectivist in nature. Authoritarianism describes a Form of government characterized by an emphasis on the Authority of the State in a republic or union Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a concept used to describe Political systems where a State regulates nearly every aspect of public and private George Orwell, an advocate of democratic socialism^[18], believed that collectivism resulted in the empowerment of a minority of individuals and oppression:

"It cannot be said too often - at any rate, it is not being said nearly often enough - that collectivism is not inherently democratic, but, on the contrary, gives to a tyrannical minority such powers as the Spanish Inquisitors never dreamt of. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer The Spanish Inquisition started and was established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile to maintain "^[19]

Marxists criticize this use of the term "collectivism," on the grounds that all societies are based on class interests and therefore all societies could be considered "collectivist. " Even the liberal ideal of the free individual is seen from a Marxist perspective as a smokescreen for the collective interests of the capitalist class. Social anarchists argue that "individualism" is a front for the interests of the upper class. Social anarchism, socialist anarchism, anarcho-socialism, anarchist socialism or Communitarian anarchism,(sometimes used interchangeably with As anarchist Emma Goldman wrote:

"'rugged individualism'. Emma Goldman (June 27 1869 – May 14 1940 was an anarchist known for her political activism writing and speeches . . is only a masked attempt to repress and defeat the individual and his individuality. So-called Individualism is the social and economic laissez-faire: the exploitation of the masses by the [ruling] classes by means of legal trickery, spiritual debasement and systematic indoctrination of the servile spirit . Laissez-faire ( pronunciation: French,; English,) is a French phrase literally meaning Let do (“allow to do” . . That corrupt and perverse 'individualism' is the straitjacket of individuality . . . . [It] has inevitably resulted in the greatest modern slavery, the crassest class distinctions driving millions to the breadline. 'Rugged individualism' has meant all the 'individualism' for the masters, while the people are regimented into a slave caste to serve a handful of self-seeking 'supermen. '. . . Their 'rugged individualism' is simply one of the many pretenses the ruling class makes to mask unbridled business and political extortion. " ^[20]

Ludwig von Mises wrote:

On the other hand the application of the basic ideas of collectivism cannot result in anything but social disintegration and the perpetuation of armed conflict. Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (ˈluːtvɪç fɔn ˈmiːzəs ( September 29, 1881 – October 10, 1973) was an Austrian It is true that every variety of collectivism promises eternal peace starting with the day of its own decisive victory and the final overthrow and extermination of all other ideologies and their supporters. . . . As soon as a faction has succeeded in winning the support of the majority of citizens and thereby attained control of the government machine, it is free to deny to the minority all those democratic rights by means of which it itself has previously carried on its own struggle for supremacy. ^[21]

Notes

See also

This entry is related to, but not included in the Political ideologies series or one of its sub-series. An ideology is a set of beliefs aims and Ideas especially in politics Other related articles can be found at the Politics Portal.

• Collective identity
• Communalism
• Communitarianism
• Primitive communism
• Collective responsibility (doctrine)
• Collective guilt
• Ayn Rand
• Tribalism
• Islamism

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