Individualism, collectivism, the IRS, and marriage
Our age is an extremely individualistic one. This may sound wrong to the observer who sees collectivism on the rise, but collectivism and individualism are not opposites, as philosophers Alexis de Tocqueville and Hannah Arendt explained — they are two sides of the same coin.
TL;DR
- Collectivism and individualism are seen as two sides of the same coin, with less trust in fellow man leading to greater reliance on government.
- Economists from the University of Delaware, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southampton argue that married couples should be taxed as two separate adults.
- This tax change is proposed to increase labor force participation and human capital, which could lead to higher tax rates and a larger government.
- A study in *Politics and the Life Sciences* suggests solving the fertility crisis by marginalizing men and promoting 'individualistic reproduction' through government subsidies for methods like IVF and single motherhood.
- The common theme is government intervention to break natural bonds between men and women to promote individual autonomy and government influence.