Collectivism compared to Individualism

People Alignment vs Individualism

The Sunrise Movement is up against centuries of American Individualism that in 2020 needs to begin to change to align with the Sunrise Movement Principles.  As then Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover wrote in his 1922 book "American Individualism": "Individualism has been the primary force of American civilization for three centuries."

Theory: The Sunrise Movement and the overall Climate Movement are fighting a war with Individualism.  Compare the American past, our history and social norms with the principles of the Sunrise Movement.

Individualism:  the prioritization or emphasis of the individual over the entire group. Individualistic cultures are oriented around the self, and being independent instead of identifying with a group mentality.

Without individualism, James Elishama Smith argued in the 1800s, individuals cannot amass property to increase one's happiness.  In 2020 and beyond, happiness will be based on a collectivist society not individual wealth.

Individualistic Teams: The individuals in this team feel independent from each other, typically based on their skillset and feel they are the person responsible for a piece of the puzzle. The decisions and choices made in the team are expected by each individual.

Collectivist Teams: Collectivist teams are where everyone is making decisions collectively, this results in more of a consensus decision making model and typically the team feels responsible for the success collectively.

There is a spectrum of behaviors at the societal level ranging from highly individualistic societies through mixed societies to collectivist.

Sunrise Principles

These are guidelines of the Sunrise Movement that all commit to uphold. Any action that does not embody these principles is not a Sunrise action.

1. We are a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process.
2. We grow our power through talking to our communities. 
3. We are Americans from all walks of life.
4. We are nonviolent in word and deed. 
5. We tell our stories and we honor each other's stories. 
6. We ask for help and we give what we can. 
7. We take initiative.
8. We embrace experimentation and we learn together. 
9. We take care of ourselves, each other, and our shared home. 
10. We stand with other movements for change. 
11. We shine bright.