Words / C1

ind-i-VIJ-oo-uh-liz-uh-m/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm/

Individualism is the belief that the individual should be free to act and think independently: rugged individualism, methodological individualism. Individual (already in the dictionary) is the person or the adjective; a lone email is not a signed group minute.

Meaning

The belief that individual freedom matters more than collective control.

Examples

• “Individualism in the debrief does not replace the spare’s name on the log.”
• “Individualism in the corridor is not a signed board minute.”
• “Autonomy is the close twin. Self-reliance is a cousin. A lone email is a channel. A minute with names is process. Write the minute; then praise initiative if the standing orders still allow it.”

Good to know

Belief in the independent individual. Related: individual (already in the dictionary). A lone email ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

autonomy, self-reliance

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