individualism meaning

Noun: individualism  `indu'vijoou`lizum

1. The quality of being individual
   - individuality, individuation 
2. A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence 
3. The doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs
   - laissez faire

Derived forms: individualisms

See also: individual, individualist, individualistic, single

Type of: belief, doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, trait

Encyclopedia: Individualism

Examples

More:   Next

1. departmentalism is the magnified individualism.
2. this individualism sometimes assumed forms that ignored government.
3. to many americans the westward march illustrates a legacy of individualism.
4. the results of these struggles underline the importance of both individualism and government involvement.