Collective Societies Could Prevail After All
David Brooks, New York Times | August 14, 2008
The debate between individualism and collectivism seemed closed after the cold war, but if collectivist societies rise economically, the outnumbered individualists won’t continue to dominate. ++ Americans usually value individuals, rights, and privacy and Asians value relationships, harmony, and duty. ++ Scientists say the Western idea of individual choice is an illusion and the real key to happiness is through relationships. ++ Accordingly, the idea of a harmonious collective could replace the American Dream.
