Intro and Thesis Statement
In America, the back-and-forth between "I" and "We" shapes everything, including politics, society, and our standpoints. Indeed, the country is renowned for championing the individual, yet the communitarian standpoint also confronts a universal truth: that is, without solidarity, everything falls apart. I will be arguing that while individualism provides us with personal Liberty and some fundamental rights, the communitarian approach benefits society. Without it, rights alone cannot hold us together.
Individualism and Communitarianism
Part- 1
Individualism is straightforward in these two cases, as an individual is the centre of everything (Carroll & Sanchez, 2020). Rights are not mere gifts from government; yet they are an integral part of human beings. Moreover, it falls within the state's job description to safeguard those negative rights, which no one can impose on us, manipulate our freedom, or take our stuff away (Learn Liberty, 2011). That is the classic libertarian stance.
Communitarianism differs significantly from individualism, prompting us to rethink rights (Longley, 2020). In communitarianism, the paramount focus remains on the triad between people and their community. While individualism emphasizes the pursuit of self-interest, this does not replace others' rights or the duty-boundedness of one individual (Carroll & Sanchez, 2020). Communitarianism calls for the practicality that delves into group ownership. Here, I am not a part of a collection of rights alone. However, I am a part of a living chain that shapes all my relationships (Longley, 2020).
Put your paper in expert hands
Get a custom essay written to your exact requirements — researched, structured, and delivered on time.
Write my essay →Part-2
From a more personal perspective, communitarianism is a balanced act. When individualism protects us from governmental tyrannical rule, it can leave people feeling isolated and unequal. Communitarianism provides a bulletproof safety net and a sense of belonging, though it often morphs into teamwork or silence for people who cannot survive within the majority.
Part- 3
I would gravitate toward the communitarian perspective. Indeed, the individualist vision argues that natural rights are the strongest (Learn Liberty, 2011). Albeit, if every time someone is asked to participate in something and then shouts out a clear breach, the society would flatline. If we overlook that, American equality would feel like a simple word that ignores the real hindrances holding people back.
Conclusion
The government’s job is much more than merely property protection. People like us, hunching for a healthy community, would advocate for the government to step in and establish a solid baseline, such as schools and hospitals. In a pluralistic society, government becomes the actual stage where we can manifest that we are all standing side by side. It keeps the community robust, so individuals have a promising outlook for exercising their rights.
References
Carroll, P., & Sanchez, D. (2020). Individualism: A Deeply American Philosophy. Foundation for Economic Education.
Learn Liberty. (2011). Libertarianism explained: What are rights? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MInGmvGEn2k
Longley, R. (2020). What Is Communitarianism? Definition and Main Theorists. ThoughtCo.