1The habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant.
‘a culture that celebrates individualism and wealth’
‘The common thread that binds Americans stems from their individualism, self-reliance, independence, courage to take risks and readiness to challenge the impossible.’
‘And Scandinavians are almost 100% Protestant too - which fits with a spirit of independence and individualism.’
‘Self-reliance and individualism can be made meaningful for all only by first reviving the power of collective action.’
‘She considers her independence and individualism to be both positive and negative.’
‘This, he felt, helped foster the importance placed on rugged individualism and independence that still imbues many discussions of southern values.’
‘German history in the Middle Ages was strongly influenced by two opposing principles: universalism and individualism.’
‘The virtues of individualism and self-reliance seemed compromised in a world of corporate power and urban throngs.’
‘The program teaches individualism, leadership, and self-confidence.’
‘He will likely go from strength to strength as an independent MSP in a parliament where individualism is seen as a political virtue.’
‘What does a country built on headstrong individualism and the myth of self-reliance do with its people convinced that they know best?’
‘All the normal yakyak about individualism and personal responsibility was on display.’
‘Very little individualism and original thought.’
‘Authoritative parents respect children's individualism while insisting they meet reasonable requirements.’
‘It attacks those who emphasise individualism and individual rights.’
‘Slim fits, cropped styles, kimono prints or cuts re-interpret individualism as eccentric.’
‘Not a millimetre of individualism or personality was in evidence.’
‘I'm really glad British individualism is now being cultivated more than ever before.’
‘Moreover, industry research indicates that the youth market is looking for individualism - and finding it in denim.’
‘Pride, a religious term for unbridled individualism, threatens the welfare of an orderly community.’
‘But this requires a degree of intellectual self-renunciation which is incompatible with individualism.’
‘Under the shiny surface there's homelessness, ignorance, insane people on the streets, hypocrisy, a certain coldness and strong individualism in people in general.’
‘Even more than the Victorian era, ours is an age of individualism rather than individuality.’
‘It seems so much in contrast to that aggressive individualism around us in today's world.’
2A social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.
‘encouragement has been given to individualism, free enterprise, and the pursuit of profit’
‘Under the heading ‘liberty’ the charter states: ‘We believe in individualism more than social determinism.’’
‘The original Western nineteenth-century route to modernization was associated with laissez-faire capitalism, individualism, and democracy.’
‘One set of beliefs expresses the commitment of a democratic society to the liberal values of justice, individualism, egalitarianism and freedom of expression.’
‘To win, the Left needs to discredit and defeat the very idea of capitalism, individualism, and personal freedom.’
‘What about individualism, capitalism, democracy, scientific rationalism, technical inventiveness - the supposed special features of European value-systems?’
‘Or is it also about a state of mind that is only possible because of Western individualism, egalitarianism, freedom of choice and civil institutions and rights?’
‘This movement is showing a sustainable and very concrete economic path based on principles of collectivism and not individualism.’
‘However, the belief in the reality of a mental substance was part of the rhetoric of the theory of individualism, not the discovery of that reality.’
‘The philosophical roots of both individualism and collectivism are the same.’
‘This is a vital strategy for combating individualism and restoring social capital.’
‘The authors identified individualism and communalism as the two core values in American society.’
‘Here we see Heidegger critically pointing the finger at Nietzsche for his radical individualism, which equated freedom with a solitude that denied our worldly contextuality.’
‘At the same time, the ideology of individualism, freedom and choice had been becoming increasingly prevalent.’
‘This odd little book weighs collective ideology against individualism, caricaturing both.’
‘These can be tentatively related to their respective contexts: class in Britain versus American democracy; interest in the social whole versus individualism.’
‘Futhermore, the scientific revolution was greatly influenced by the combination - and exaltation - of the principles of individualism and rationality.’
‘This is self evident, given his adherence to those great left wing principles; individualism, the free-market, starving workers and torture.’
‘Actually there is a deep relationship between these apparently contradictory stances: individualistic nationalism and national individualism.’
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