Federalism - The Perfect Balance of Individual and Collective Interest

Federalism - The Perfect Balance of Individual and Collective Interest

I have arrived at some temporary solutions to problems regarding political philosophy in the real world. For the most part, the debate over the ideal political philosophy has been narrowed down to two choices: socialism and capitalism. I agree with this. However, blending in with that debate my own conviction that toleration and moderation are the keys to success in any situation, I have concluded that there are, for purposes of this discussion, two types of political philosophies, and each is best served by a compromise between socialism and capitalism.

Individual Political Philosophy. I believe there can be no question that individualism is the political philosophy that best serves the individual. By its definition, which follows, one can see that individualism advocates effort and responsibility as a price for freedom. If all individuals in any given society earnestly tried to be productive for themselves (and/or their family, business, country, etc. -- whatever serves the individual's interest), the result would be an emotionally and materially prosperous society, as well as free and secure.

individualism: the belief in the primary importance of the individual, in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence, in the freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of economic and social goals, and in the priority of individual interest over collective interest.

One should note that the inherent selfishness of individualism is not the same type of selfishness as the typical, derogatory form, characterized by a general disregard for anyone but one's self. Rather, the selfishness of an individualist with a solid moral foundation -- whi...

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...y particular individuals or groups of individuals.

Call it collective individualism, or merit-based socialism, or something in between. But know this: in order for such a philosophy to represent its own best interests, the greatest autonomy must rest with the individual, and the collective interest must allow individual freedom only to the limits at which it would encroach on the health of the collective.

To find an example of such a system established, read the "Declaration of Independence", The Federalist Papers, and The Anti-Federalist Papers. In those documents lie the foundations of federalism, the only form of government which allows for the perfect balance of individual and collective interest.

Only through federalism may the tenets of liberalism truly be followed in an equitable fashion, so as best to serve the individual, the collective, the world.