Institutions and Power

Institutions and Power

• Can individualism be caused or induced?

o Is it possible that there is a cause of this other than our innate tendency? Does it have an institutional cause?

o Capitalism? But it can be argued that capitalism is an OUTCOME of our naturalistic behavior… therefore not viable solution

o You would have to answer the capitalist idea from a historical perspective

o Institutions through their discourse (the way they authoritatively describe our society, the way they address us) addresses us constantly as individualsпÑ" e.g. in schools- discussed as moral individuals

o We’ve been socialized to think of ourselves as individuals

o Is this because it’s really true or is it because there are powerful interests at play in encouraging us to think of ourselves in individualistic terms?

o Just because we all do behave individualistically, does it mean we are?

o Powerful forces induce us to think individualistically

o Even when we go to behave in collective ways and make collective demands (e.g. unions)- the state will tell us it is a rational and illiberal form of behavior

• Is methodological individualism as a way of looking at society conservative (not progressive) or radical in terms of it’s ideological and political implications

o Tends to be conservative in that we are not as cooperative and collectivist which prevents us from seriously engaging in any social transformation (when people all behave individually)

o Historically- individualist philosophy and ideology is both conservative and radical depending on the context

o Early English tradition of individualism пÑ" Putney debate in England; revolution against the King in the 17th centuryпÑ" sitting around imagining what kind of society they would like to create; soldiers: I gave up everything I had- the democracy I fought for is universal individual consent to rule and I want the distribution of property to be apart of the democratic process; officer- ?radical- I want to protect property; soldiers-