> On Jan 11, 2015, at 4:33 PM, Joan Warmbold <[email protected]> wrote: > > A more > unfortunate concern/question I have about the USA is why we fairly > consistently stand apart from other westernized nations in our > perspectives on taking care of the needy, whether it's in regard to caring > for the homeless, those in need of health care, etc. Is it simply a > result of the powerful corporate lobbies or is more reflective of our > strong cultural support of individualism and that we each 'make our own > bed to sleep in,' so to speak.
I think individualism is a laudable cultural attitude (not only of the US, but of many successful countries) but that it has been skillfully exploited by propagandists (corporate and otherwise) into a rigid ideology that is socially harmful when practiced without exception. Canadians, who have historically had to make their way through comparatively harsh weather, have long had a strong tradition self-reliance, but that was never seen as a justification for failing to help others who required it. The Finns, also, have a strong ethic of *personal* preparation for the possibility of harsh conditions, but that has sat side by side comfortably with a strong socialist strain. Put simply (perhaps simplistically), the ethic of individualism is something that works best when applied to the self -- *I* will be self-reliant and prepared for any contingency -- but makes for a nasty, brutish society when cast upon others -- *They* should be self-reliant and prepared -- and too easily slides into a justification for an ethics of "uncaring." Chris ....... Christopher D Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 [email protected] http://www.yorku.ca/christo --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=41511 or send a blank email to leave-41511-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
