Hello Readers!
Individualism is a defining characteristic of Western culture. People are encouraged to seek out opportunity and thrive on their own. Individual rights are strongly focused on in individualism, and a group is viewed as a collection of individuals rather than a collective whole. Individualism is defined as "a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount" and "a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests; also : conduct or practice guided by such a theory."
This ideal maintains that the rights of a group come only from the rights of the individuals in that group. There are many extremes that can be taken when discussing individualism. For example, individualism was a concept used to explain the social dissolution and anarchy that occurred during the French Revolution. Although individualism is an ideology used to fight against oppression, when taken too far, the rights of the individual can overpower the needs of the collective group. A French philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville, considered individualism to be a selfish ideal that disposed people to think only about themselves. That's an interesting opinion of an ideology that is extremely influential in modern day society. It is probably safe to say a happy medium between concern for individual rights and the needs of the collective group needs to be established.
Well, now you guys know a bit more about one of the doctrines I will be researching while in China. I doubt I will see such extreme cases as the examples I have given, but I am very curious to find out just how influential Individualism is in China and its business litigation. Thank you everyone for reading my blog, I will continue to make new posts weekly to keep everyone updated!
Countdown to China: 10 days!
-Ishan Patel
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