Define Individualism And Explain Its Importance Within Liberal Ideology

The liberal political theory is formed on several ideologies. Individualism is considered one and only(a) of the most crucial. Its composite in most liberal characteristics like license, the thriftiness and the lineament of the state. only if there is notable division between modern and classic liberalists as to what it focuses on with modern liberalists focusing on respective(prenominal)(a)ity and classics believe in utilitarianism and and social darwinism. However it is widely agreed that individualisation is a chance on concept within liberal ideology.Firstly, to discuss the richness of individualism, it must be defined. Individualism is the social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over joint or state control. Essentially the belief that the individual is more of the essence(p) than the social group. This is then split further into methodological individualism where the individual is placed at the centre of political theory and ethical individualism where moral priority is given to the interests of the individual.One place where individualism plays a primordial subprogram within liberalism is in the role of the state. This appears in the form of a constitutional government that liberal thinkers view as essential with cardinal other aspects to guarantee individualism. The first is the separation of powers where capability would be disbanded between various parts of government in order to prevent a focused centre of power which would be able to destroy individual freedom. The second is a limited government, where the state is only given nice powers necessary to allow individuals to follow their have got eccentric pursuits. Therefore it washbowl be see individualism plays an main(prenominal) role in liberals ideology as liberal government is designed to protect this. legerdemain Locke sums this up as the state that governs least is the state that governs best.Another place where individualism is important within liberal i deology is with regard to the financial market. This became prominent by dint of the thinkings of Ricardo and Smith (writer of the wealth of nations). They believed that the individual should be enabled to act in their take in interestsand this will therefore benefit society overall. This will in theory therefore promote freedom, well-being and prosperity. More recently, John Maynard Keynes put earlier the requirement of demand management that the government should inject money into the economy to ensure the individual hindquarters still act in their own interests.Individualism also plays a crucial part in the opinion of freedom within liberal ideology. It is not total freedom but freedom under the state and the rule of law. It warrants for people to develop their own abilities and ambitions. John Locke, a 17th century philosopher considered freedom of the individual to be a natural right.Modern liberals have moved away towards individuality, by suggesting life is nigh more th an a selfish pursuit of ones own joys. John Stuart mill expressed the desire of individuals to achieve self-realisation and autonomy, through high pleasures, which consist of intellect and moral pursuits in comparison with low pleasures which are crude pleasures including activities such as promiscuity, drinking and gambling. This may suggest individualism has less of a role in modern liberalism because theres less focus on the simple pleasures that a unmingled liberalist would conform to.Classical liberals have an atomistic view of the individual, due to ideas such as Social Darwinism, that the hard-working and talented would survive and the lazy would fail. Spencer stressed this, and the importance of the individual responsibility. Utilitarianism is also a key concept within determinate thinking on individualism, the idea that the proper course of action is the one that maximises utility. Bentham suggested this was key as individuals ought to be allowed to follow their own hap piness. The focus and abridgment of political theorists on what individualism should be shows its importance.To summarise, it is clear that individualism is greatly important in liberal ideology, particularly in the opinion of classical liberalists. In classical liberalism individualism takes a more pivotal role within most aspects of their ideals. However in modern liberalism individualism is reasonably more subdued due to the states larger role. Overall individualism can be seen to play an important role within liberalism as a whole.