Collectivism vs. Individualism: Approaches to Social Inequality
This page examines the debate between collectivist and individualist approaches to addressing social inequality in the UK, evaluating the arguments and evidence for each ideology.
The core argument centers on whether individual responsibility or government-supported welfare programs are more effective in reducing inequality. Individualism emphasizes personal accountability, while collectivism advocates for a robust welfare state funded through National Insurance and providing services via the NHS and social security.
Definition: The welfare state refers to government programs that provide health care, financial support, and other social services to citizens.
Individualists argue that generous welfare creates a "dependency culture" where citizens overly rely on government support. They point to examples like Scotland's £500 million spent on free personal care for the elderly, which they claim could be better allocated if wealthy pensioners paid for their own care.
Example: The cost of providing free prescriptions in Scotland rose 25% over 10 years to £1.3 billion by 2018, according to the BBC.
However, collectivists counter that individualist policies have deepened social inequality. They cite evidence such as a 70% increase in food bank use between 2015-2020 under Conservative government policies, as reported by the Trussell Trust.
Highlight: The debate between individualism and collectivism significantly impacts approaches to social welfare and inequality in the UK.
Collectivists argue that only the government has the resources and expertise to address the complex, interrelated causes of inequality. They point to the UK's annual £200 billion healthcare spending as evidence of the scale required to tackle these issues effectively.
Quote: "It is only the government that has the resources needed as well as the expertise required to address these complex factors."
The page concludes that while some individualist ideas may have merit, a primarily collectivist approach is likely more effective in reducing social inequality in the UK.
