Social Individualism: Texas Style

When Texas was first being settled by Anglos, they had a problem.  There was plenty of free land available on the frontier, but the Comanches were contesting it.  What is more, this tribe had a fearsome reputation.  Its warriors were rightly regarded as the scourge of the southern plains.

Families that ventured out to lonely homesteads were essentially on their own.  Raiding parties could attack them at any time to steal their horses and collect their scalps.  It took extreme courage—and tenacity—to take such a chance.  Nonetheless, the original Texans prided themselves on their rugged individualism.

One of the things that social scientists have learned is that cultural adaptations tend to persist.  The same willingness to take risks, without complaining about setbacks, that characterized their state’s pioneers was still visible in the reaction of Texans to the devastation wrought by hurricane Harvey.

Instead of crying about how cruel nature had been, they immediately got out and started helping their neighbors.  Rather than sit on their hands and wait to be rescued, they did the rescuing.  Many of these folks placed their lives in jeopardy, despite the destruction done to their own homes.

It has become customary for millions of Americans to scream out for government assistance whenever they encounter a difficulty.  Uncle Sam is supposed to provide the money and the expertise to extract them from whatever situation makes them unhappy.

While it is true that the Trump administration has effectively organized federal support, FEMA and the National Guard found enthusiastic partners already on the ground.  Ordinary citizens had taken the initiative to climb into their boats and trucks to brave the elements.  Mere floods were not going to stop them.

The rest of the nation looked upon this bravado with awe.  It clearly took courage to defy the unknown.  It also took pluck to begin the process of rebuilding before the waters receded.  There was no complaining.  There was just good old-fashioned hard work and cooperative effort.

Texan individualism demonstrated something else.  People who take personal responsibility are better able to utilize assistance from others.  They can join forces with, let us say the police, because they are standing on their own two feet.

Responsible individuals think for themselves.  This makes it easier to figure out how best to collaborate with officials.  Responsible individuals can also make adjustments.  They are able to modify their responses because they are not terrified by the unexpected.

Most importantly, people who are individualists have a strong sense of self.  They are comfortable with who they are and consequently are comfortable with people who differ from themselves.  Individualism does not equal selfishness.  Indeed, it frequently signifies the reverse.

I have recently been arguing that our post-industrial society requires a new ideal.  The squishy calls for social justice coming from the left are insufficient.  So are the demands for liberty emanating from the right.  These are all well and good, yet they are not enough.

What we need now is social individualism.  We need more people who are willing to be themselves and to save themselves, while at the same time collaborating with their neighbors.  In other words, more of us must both be for ourselves and for others.

The Texans has shown us how this can be achieved.  There is no contradiction between being personally strong and concerned with the welfare of our fellow citizens.  People can make independent choices that benefit themselves, while pulling up their sleeves to help the guy next door.

Social individualism is the opposite of collective dependence.  Instead of abdicating what we can do for ourselves, it takes satisfaction in personal achievement.  Instead of clamoring for a bigger piece of the federal pie, it seeks to bake it’s own pie.

Social individualism is aware of the limitations placed upon us by inhabiting a mass society, but it is also aware of the opportunities made available when strong people team up with other strong people.  They do not whine.  They do not point fingers as supposedly oppressive enemies.  They just get down to business!

Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology

Kennesaw State University