
The Politics of Individualism
Oxford University Press Inc
Will be published approx. on 19. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-19-781445-1 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
It is rare for scholars to define a significant new concept and demonstrate empirically that it explains prevalent and troubling aspects of politics. Karpowitz and Patterson have done exactly that with their new concept of "moral individualism," which must now become a focus for researchers and a concern of anyone who works to preserve the republic. * Peter Levine, Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship. Tufts University * Along with fairness and community, observers often invoke individualism to explain, or perhaps to celebrate or decry, the character of American politics. But these terms are essentially contested, and invoked more often than examined. Karpowitz and Patterson unravel the idea of individualism, finding the claim to moral autonomy at its core. That is an enormously productive concept; it illuminates stances from resistance to COVID vaccines to the power of "I have a dream". * Jennifer Hochschild, Henry LaBarre Jayne Professor of Government and Professor of African and African American Studies, Harvard University *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
470 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-781445-1 (9780197814451)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Christopher F. Karpowitz | Kelly D. Patterson
The Politics of Individualism
Book
10/2025
Oxford University Press Inc
€87.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
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.
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.
Author
Mary Lou Fulton Professor of Political ScienceMary Lou Fulton Professor of Political Science, Brigham Young University
Professor of Political ScienceProfessor of Political Science, Brigham Young University
Content
1: Individualism in American Politics
2: Individualism and the Question of the Self
3: Measuring Individualism as Moral Autonomy
4: Moral Individualism and the Demands of a Pandemic
5: Moral Individualism in the Public and Private Spheres
6: Conclusion: Whither the Republic?
2: Individualism and the Question of the Self
3: Measuring Individualism as Moral Autonomy
4: Moral Individualism and the Demands of a Pandemic
5: Moral Individualism in the Public and Private Spheres
6: Conclusion: Whither the Republic?