Tyranny of the Individual

The ideological enforcement of individualism as the only valid way to understand human life, erasing collectivity, interdependence, and social responsibility. Under this tyranny, problems are framed as personal failures (poverty = bad choices, addiction = weak will), and solutions are sought in individual effort rather than systemic change. It isolates people, making them feel ashamed of needing help, while protecting institutions from accountability. The tyranny of the individual is central to neoliberal capitalism, where society is denied, and only “free” individuals competing in markets exist.

Example: “He blamed the homeless man’s situation on ‘bad decisions’—the tyranny of the individual, ignoring eviction, lack of healthcare, and a decade of wage stagnation.”

Tyranny of the Individual by Dumu The Void April 21, 2026