some thoughts…
A Seductive Narrative
The story of modern society is one of relentless individualism. From an early age, we are taught that our destiny is ours alone to forge, that success or failure rests squarely on our shoulders. This narrative, seductive in its appeal to personal responsibility, has permeated every aspect of our lives, from education to work to politics.
Yet, beneath this veneer of empowerment lies a more insidious truth: individualism, far from liberating us, has fractured the bonds that once united us in collective action.
When we shift from the solitary I to the inclusive we, we not only expand our horizons but also weave a richer collective growth and understanding of ourselves.
Strength in Solidarity
In a time not so distant, people understood that their strength lay in solidarity. Workers organized into unions, communities banded together to demand better conditions, and social movements flourished on the understanding that change could only come through collective effort.
The victories won in these struggles—better wages, civil rights, social safety nets—were the result of people standing together, recognizing that their fates were intertwined.
Neoliberalism and the Glorification of the Individual
But the rise of neoliberalism in the late 20th century brought with it a new ideology, one that glorified the individual at the expense of the collective. We were no longer citizens, members of a community with shared interests and common goals; we were consumers, each pursuing our own desires in a marketplace of endless choice.
The language of individualism—self-reliance, personal responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit—became the new mantra, drowning out the old songs of solidarity.
Isolated Struggles in a Collective World
This shift has had profound consequences for our ability to act collectively. When people are taught to see themselves as isolated agents, responsible for their own success or failure, they are less likely to recognize the structural forces that shape their lives. Inequality, once understood as a societal problem requiring collective action, is now often viewed as a personal failing.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, the narrative goes, it’s because you didn’t work hard enough, didn’t invest wisely, didn’t manage your life properly. In such a world, there is little room for solidarity, for the recognition that our individual struggles are part of a broader, shared experience.
The Political Decline of Collective Power
The decline of collective action is not just a social phenomenon; it is a political one. As people retreat into their private lives, focusing on their own narrow interests, the power of the collective wanes. Unions weaken, social movements splinter, and the political landscape becomes dominated by those who have always understood the importance of solidarity—namely, the wealthy and the powerful.
They continue to act collectively, pooling their resources, lobbying governments, and shaping policies to serve their interests, while the rest of us are left to navigate the complexities of life alone.
The Irony of Modern Freedom
The irony of this situation is that while we are told we are freer than ever before, we are in fact more constrained. The freedom to choose in the marketplace is a poor substitute for the freedom to shape our society, to have a say in the decisions that affect our lives.
And without collective action, without the power that comes from standing together, we are left at the mercy of those who control the levers of power.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
We must first reclaim the idea of the collective. We must reject the narrative that we are alone in our struggles and rediscover the strength that comes from solidarity. This does not mean abandoning individual responsibility, but recognizing that true freedom comes not from isolation, but from collective action.
Only by standing together can we hope to create a society that serves the many, not the few. The task before us is not easy, but it is necessary. The alternative is a world where the bonds that once held us together are permanently broken, leaving us to face the challenges of life alone.