"When does the 'abused ' or 'neglected ' apprentice citizen become the perpetrator rather than the victim?” (Roberts). The social construct of collectivism seeks to eradicate this question, simply by putting in place what are acceptable actions or not, based on morals and the good of society as a whole. Recently, inequality has become a popular subject of interest: “Worldwide, according to the Factiva database of global press sources, the word "inequality" cropped up 28,000 times in the second quarter of 2014; back in 2006, during the height of the credit boom, the word only appeared 3,000-odd times” (Tett). Collectivism - a society putting more importance on the good of the people as a whole rather than one’s own wants - if done right, can
…show more content…
Looking at past societies, income, urbanization, and disease have proven to be the deciding factors on whether a society is individualistic or collectivist (Howley). During times of disorientation and crime, some people turn to collectivism and community cohesion for stability. These campaigners lobby for this by suggesting moral reform (Roberts). In Switzerland, inequality was ranked the biggest global economic challenge, even over climate change and bank crises (Tett). Collectivism can bring about equality and justice, such as suffrage for all, welfare and health services for the underprivileged as well as the privileged, and a decrease in discrimination based on race, sex, sexuality, religion, or disability. In order to be guaranteed our personal freedoms, including culture, comfort, and health, it is believed that the government must redistribute the wealth and power of the world. Some, who are are less interested in 'personal freedom, ' believe that collectivism is the best social method: that it eliminates inequality, and therefore would be a better, more rational way of life ("Bending the Arc of …show more content…
An allele found in the serotonin transporter gene creates a difference in personality: if it is short, the the carrier is more susceptible to depression, and possibly less susceptible to contagious diseases. Joan Chiao explains that "[n]ations where the short allele flourishe[s] ...[are] twice as likely to be collectivistic than individualistic." What determines whether one gets a short or long allele? The genes a person has can evolve due to nurture and environment. In areas with less disease, such as China and Japan, about 80 percent of people carry the short allele. In contrast, in areas like South Africa, up to 70 percent of all people carry the long allele (Gupta). Some believe that collectivism, by enforcing ideas of ethnocentrism and conformity, prevents entire populations from catching and spreading diseases. It does this by discouraging both contact with foreigners and risky behaviors. However, while collectivism may prevent diseases within populations, individualism encourages the creation of new ideas and technology to manually prevent said diseases
Looking at past societies, income, urbanization, and disease have proven to be the deciding factors on whether a society is individualistic or collectivist (Howley). During times of disorientation and crime, some people turn to collectivism and community cohesion for stability. These campaigners lobby for this by suggesting moral reform (Roberts). In Switzerland, inequality was ranked the biggest global economic challenge, even over climate change and bank crises (Tett). Collectivism can bring about equality and justice, such as suffrage for all, welfare and health services for the underprivileged as well as the privileged, and a decrease in discrimination based on race, sex, sexuality, religion, or disability. In order to be guaranteed our personal freedoms, including culture, comfort, and health, it is believed that the government must redistribute the wealth and power of the world. Some, who are are less interested in 'personal freedom, ' believe that collectivism is the best social method: that it eliminates inequality, and therefore would be a better, more rational way of life ("Bending the Arc of …show more content…
An allele found in the serotonin transporter gene creates a difference in personality: if it is short, the the carrier is more susceptible to depression, and possibly less susceptible to contagious diseases. Joan Chiao explains that "[n]ations where the short allele flourishe[s] ...[are] twice as likely to be collectivistic than individualistic." What determines whether one gets a short or long allele? The genes a person has can evolve due to nurture and environment. In areas with less disease, such as China and Japan, about 80 percent of people carry the short allele. In contrast, in areas like South Africa, up to 70 percent of all people carry the long allele (Gupta). Some believe that collectivism, by enforcing ideas of ethnocentrism and conformity, prevents entire populations from catching and spreading diseases. It does this by discouraging both contact with foreigners and risky behaviors. However, while collectivism may prevent diseases within populations, individualism encourages the creation of new ideas and technology to manually prevent said diseases