Difference between the Old and Modern Individualism

Modern Individualism differs from the nineteenth-century Individualism in several respects. Historically speaking, the former was a reaction and a protest against Hegelian Absolutism and worship of the omnipotent State, while the latter was a reaction against Mercantilism.

The basic difference lies in the attitude towards the group. The nineteenth-century Individualists regarded the society to consists of the individuals and the State: they contrasted the Individual versus the State But “the New Individualism differs from the old regarding the group and not the individual as its unit for political purpose” It is driven to this belief because the old Individualism failed to protect the individual against exploitation and oppression of the capitalists and the tyranny of the majority rule. The group is organised, as Joad says, in the first place, for the protection of the individual against exploitation and oppression of the capitalist and the tyranny of the majority rule.

The group is organised, as Joad says, in the first place, for the protection of the individual against the exploitation of the capitalist and the oppression of the majority rule, and, secondly, for the furtherance of the common interests and ideas of its members. The size of the State is too large to afford protection and promotion of the interests of the individual, while the small size of the groups affords opportunities for the expression of the common will and the development of individual personality.

Hence the modern Individualists believe that the group is a better device than the State not only for developing the real personality of the individual but also for protecting individual liberty which was the primary concern of the Old Individuals. Thus “the group gives a better opportunity to achieve the ideals and purposes which the Old Individualism held so dear to themselves. It was this freedom that Mill so passionately defended in the nineteenth century; to this end the modern Individualists art also devoted. But they seek this goal differently, i.e., through groups and associations, which are free from the control of the all powerful State.

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