ABSTRACT
American individualism is the representation of Western individualism and the leading value of American life, has already developed into the core of American culture. In different historical stages, individualism varies and demonstrates different characteristic.
This thesis probes into the causes of American individualism and analyses the influences of individualism on American society, economic development and people’s ideology. It should be pointed out that when studying the values of individualism, we should hold scientific and objective attitude.
1. Introduction 1
2. American Individualism 2
2.1 The Definition of Individualism 2
2.2 The Development of American Individualism 3
2.2.1 Early Individualism 3
2.2.2 Frontiersmen's Individualism 4
2.2.3 American Individualism on Other Stages 5
2.3 The Content of American Individualism 7
2.3.1 Self-reliance 7
2.3.2 Self-orientedness 8
2.3.3 Privacy 8
2.3.4 Equality 9
2.3.5 Competition 10
3. The Causes of American Individualism 12
3.1 The Impact of Religion and Philosophy 12
3.2 The Impact of History and Population 12
3.3 The Impact of Geography and Economy 13
4.The Significance on Society of American Individualism 15
4.1 The Positive Significance 15
4.2 The Negative Significance 16
5. Conclusion 18
Acknowledgements 19
References 20
