[tm22721]

Bork identified American cultural decline with two primary forces: radical egalitarianism, which I had seen firsthand at Legal Aid, and radical individualism

How can radical individualism be a liberal condition ? It is at the heart of entrepreneurial spirit and independence.

BUMP

[SoothingDave]

How can radical individualism be a liberal condition ?

Radical individualism is the antithesis of family, community, country upon which conservatism is based. Where individualism reigns the concept of sacrifice is negated. Why should the sovereign individual give up his treasure or life for the benefit of others?

Also, the conservative mind understands that family, Church, and other free associations that people belogn to serve as buffers between the individual and the all-powerful state. Where there is nothing held in higher regard by the individual than himself (hence, radical individualism) all of these buffers are removed and we are left with each individual, alone and naked before the power of the state.

SD

[Oberon]

How can radical individualism be a liberal condition ? It is at the heart of entrepreneurial spirit and independence.

No; not if the individualism of which we speak is truly radical. You see, entrepreneurship requires a few social conditions in which to work. One is a secure right to property, and another is an established rule of law. Without these things, your chances of becoming a successful entrepreneur beyond a certain minimal level are nil; and yet truly radical individualism shuns them.

[swilhelm73]

Well, my take is that liberals often seem to have a belief in "individualism" that allows a favored indidivudal to stamp all over the rights of others.

An artist that creates works that offend the majority for example, has a right not only to create his works, but also a "right" to take money from the majority to make said "art".

Or, a woman has the right not just to do what she wants with her body, but also the "right" to kill her unborn child.

I could go all day with these examples of course, the left is seemingly built on hypocrisy and a lust for power.

[ArGee]

How can radical individualism be a liberal condition ? It is at the heart of entrepreneurial spirit and independence.

As John Nash pointed out, Radical Individualism is as self-destructive as socialism.

Cooperative individualism is what is required, and the vision of our culture that the conservatives have.

Shalom.