What is Collectivism?

Hello Readers!

The word collectivism has been used a lot when I refer to my project, so I thought I would dedicate this blog to really explaining what it means to be part of a collectivist society. Merriam-Webster defines collectivism as "a political or economic theory advocating collective control especially over production and distribution; also : a system marked by such control." This definition encompasses the political side to collectivism while the secondary definition of "emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity," illustrates the ideology behind collectivism. 

Generally, Asian cultures are seen as being more collectivist than many Western cultures, China being a prime example. When in a collectivist society, the focus on the individual is not emphasized. In fact, the purpose of the individual in a collectivism is to further benefit the group, or the whole. Unity is very important and people must work together to further each other's goals and contribute to the overall well-being of the group. In extreme cases, some believe the goals of the individual must be sacrificed for the benefit of the group. An example of this belief is evident is a quote from Ayn Rand who states "Collectivism means the subjugation of the individual to a group -- whether to a race, class or state does not matter. Collectivism holds that man must be chained to collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called 'the common good'." 

On the other end of the spectrum, rather than viewing collectivism as a form of socialism, many people see it as a selfless ideology that teaches individuals love and appreciation for all the members in their community. Since one would always work to benefit society, everyone benefits each other through unified efforts. Jean Jacques Rousseau's Du Social Contract raises the concept that the individual only find true freedom when coinciding with the "general will" of the community. 

I hope you all enjoyed a little background on collectivism. For the next blog post, I will highlight key aspects of individualism. My goal is to help my readers understand what indications I may be looking for when deciding whether a general shift toward individualism is even present in China's business litigation.

Countdown to China: 11 days! 

-Ishan Patel