The Politics of Individualism

Individualism is a quintessential American value, manifesting in emphases on hard work and economic independence. But there is another key aspect to individualism: moral autonomy, which must be understood in the context of an individual's relationship to authority.

The Politics of Individualism emphasizes the importance of moral autonomy by examining the relationship between autonomy, the self, and institutions. Political scientists Christopher F. Karpowitz and Kelly D. Patterson examine the conceptual dimensions of individualism, introduce a new empirical measure they call "moral individualism," and evaluate its relationship to civic life. Their analysis shows that people who score highly on the moral individualism scale are less likely to commit to public goods and to engage in collective efforts to alleviate common problems--like a pandemic. In light of this finding, Karpowitz and Patterson assess the danger that moral individualism may pose to the maintenance of democratic institutions and the common goals and beliefs that help bind a nation together.

Christopher F. Karpowitz is a professor of political science at Brigham Young University. He was director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU. He is currently a co-editor of Political Behavior. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Kelly D. Patterson is a professor of political science at Brigham Young University. He has served as department chair, Director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU, and as an associate dean in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University.