Left/Right = Collectivism/Individualism? No.

My recent video, "Say A, Do B: Individualism in "Collective Ideologies"

When I was growing up, everyone from teachers to media personalities was correlating right with individual and left with collective. We can see it in textbooks and children’s cartoons (particularly from the era I grew up in, but more recently in shows like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic).

This hasn’t stopped. I know I’ve heard Ben Shapiro dichotomize it that way, just as I have seen endless Leftist Video Essayists try to make the argument about how “empathy and community are the real key to making society work” without any discussion beyond.

And they endlessly contradict themselves on either side.

Misconception of Ideological Dichotomy

It's a common misconception that “The Right” equates to individualism and the left to collectivism. For instance, “The Right” is known for championing individual liberties. Many on “The Right” champion Ayn Rand, a radical individualist whose “objectivism” lays the basis for a “virtue” of “rational selfishness.”

On the right, the notion of rugged individualism is frequently championed, emphasizing personal responsibility and autonomy. However, this ideology often coexists with strong collective institutions like the church and organizations like the Boy/Girl Scouts of America. At their best (and it should be said that when lock step with The Right, these things are not at their best), these groups embody values traditionally associated with collectivism. Moreover, the right’s emphasis on family values highlights a commitment to a collective unit – the family – contrasting their individualistic rhetoric.

Conversely, the left, commonly associated with collective action and communal welfare, exhibits many individualistic tendencies. For instance, in online leftist circles, there's a significant focus on personal accountability and individual experiences. This is evident in discussions around plagiarism, where the conversation often centers on individual transgressions rather than systemic issues. Another example is how leftist discourse frequently elevates personal narratives and experiences as the primary lens through which broader societal issues are understood and addressed.

To my sensibilities, a lot of what I recognize as “The Left” aesthetically rejects Ayn Rand’s selfish philosophy while ultimately embracing it. “The Right” aesthetically embraces it but can’t seem to consistently apply what they deem individualism or collectivism, especially on an exclusive basis.

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Capitalism and Ideological Justifications

Capitalism's influence on both ideologies shapes their approaches. Leftism and progressivism, despite proponents’ claims, often operate within a capitalist framework without meaningfully challenging it. If we take the political spectrum as a range of justifications for capitalism, “horseshoe theory” isn’t as baseless as many might say in its suggestion that ideological extremes wrap around to similarity.

In addition to the fairly simple YouTube video I made on the subject, fellow CPI member Sam Bismuth presented a more in-depth view in his video, “Individualism vs. Collectivism: A Marxist Approach.” He challenges the binary understanding of individualism and collectivism, highlighting their complex interplay and class character. He criticizes bourgeois individualism, which he asserts is a justification for wealth accumulation at the expense of the masses, and posits that rejecting this form does not mean rejecting individualism entirely. Instead, Bismuth presents these concepts as dialectically intertwined, each shaping societal and class relations.

Bismuth argues that individuals are products of collective forces shaped by societal structures and the class context. He contends that actual “collectivism” necessitates supporting individual development, as society comprises individual actors. This perspective reveals the class character of these concepts, particularly under capitalism, where production is organized collectively but appropriated individually. Bismuth calls for viewing individualism and collectivism as interdependent rather than conflicting. His video offers a more in-depth exploration of these ideas, and I’d recommend watching it.

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Dichotomy as Distraction

This view also diverts attention from the underlying dynamics that shape societal and political realities.

The focus on whether a political “side” aligns with individualism or collectivism overshadows anything regarding socioeconomic systems. Instead of addressing policies and their impacts, the debate gets mired in generalized assertions about individual rights or collective welfare, which may not accurately represent the mechanical realities of the moving, connected world.

The perpetuation of this false dichotomy also contributes to political polarization. Framing political discourse as a battle between individual freedom and collective control creates an "us versus them" mentality. “They don’t care about how an individual feels” or, conversely, “are selfish.” This polarized viewpoint hinders constructive dialogue and leads to a more divided society.

The emphasis on this ideological divide diverts attention from more systemic issues, masking the underlying structures and power dynamics that influence all contemporary ideologies. This leads to a lack of critical engagement with the status quo.

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Conclusion

So, both right and left ideologies exhibit a blend of what we would colloquially call individualism and collectivism. However, we must note the significant influence of capitalist structures. Sam Bismuth points out that straightforwardly correlating either to any group (including class) is an oversimplification. There is certainly a “bourgeois individualism,” but just as much, we could probably outline a “bourgeois collectivism.”

Many are having a difficult time figuring out who is who, and I would like to end with a simple idea: Unless they are actively investigating and building power, they’re all supporters of capitalism, even when they claim not to be, and are thus all on the same side – individualism or collectivism be damned.