Modern Individualism

                        Modern Individualism

Decline of the 19th century Individualism and emergence of Modern Individualism in the 20th century. After the 18th century, there was a decline in the influence of individualism and in its place the idealism and collectivism gained importance. Joad says,"The theory of individualism or its doctrine of freedom, which is very valuable in politics,when applied in economic sphere,proved disastrous".

According to Joad,individualism is based on three misconceptions:

1-That each individual is equally sagacious and he has an equal capacity for knowing what he wants.

2-That each individual possesses an equal power of obtaining what he wants and an equal freedom of choice.

3-That the satisfaction of the wants of all individuals is identical with the well-being of the community as a whole.

Thus on the basis of the reasons mentioned above, individualism suffered a setback and idealism and socialism took its place. But when both these theories explained the functions and powers of the state in an exaggerated form, and when they did not attach any importance to individual freedom, there was a great reaction against them and individualism took birth in a refined form.

Meaning of Growth of Modern Individualism-The distinction between modern individual and nineteenth century individualism is that 19th century individualism gives more importance to individual than the state and in order to protect individual liberty,it wants to limit the functions of the state. On the other hand, modern individualism lays more emphasis on groups and association and considers the state an association like other associations. The common thing in short, modern individualism is a form of pluralism.

Causes of its Origin

1-Increase in associations in human society and the acceptance of their importance as compared to state.

2-During the first World War the European govts. acquired all powers, suppresed the individual freedom and acted arbitrarily.

3-Many people even objected to the majority rule in democracy and the states acting in an orbitrary manner.

Exponents of Modern Individualism-Graham Wallas, Normal Angell, Miss Follett and many other Guild socialists are the exponents of modern individualism. Garham Wallas, in his book ,Great Society exhibits a,"distrust of the power of the over-developed state". According to him, centralised state with parliament composed on the basis of territorial representation, is hardly an effective organ for the expression of popular will.
Norman Angell was a great supporter of Internationalism. He strongly opposed the enhanced powers of the state in his book,.He said that people come together for their common"The Great Illusion"on economic interests. Generally, man does that job which is useful from economic point of view. But different states compete with one another and they instigate the people in the name of national interest. When the people start thinking as one unit of international limits and they will aspire for the society based on economic classes.