Analysis of the Social Contexts of the Formation of Individualism in Iran

Author

Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In societies where social cohesion is founded on established norms (organic solidarity), individualism is frequently analyzed as a consequence of the transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy and increased specialization. However, in societies like Iran that have undergone modernization through technological advancements and lifestyle transformations, individualism occupies a distinct position.
The present article, through the analysis of writings, conversations, and interviews with socio-cultural specialists, investigates the development of individualism in order to examine its atypical and disordered condition. The research findings indicate that, on the one hand, individuals within nuclear families tend to move beyond the collective values linked to traditional life and the extended family, as well as religious values associated with communal living, instead prioritizing economic values or focusing on goals such as survival and progress. The notion of economic advancement in contemporary society can shape perceptions in a way that leads individuals to view others as rivals or impediments to progress. This is where individuals either uphold socio-religious values or align themselves with the “other” when that value or person is perceived as a source of benefit. Individuals in the modern world, when social norms are upheld during economic engagement, inevitably seek to foster organic social solidarity and social cohesion while simultaneously shaping their own identities. Conversely, in the absence of participation in economic production and when social rules are disregarded, individualism tends to become abnormal and disordered

Keywords

References

Asghari, S. A. (2020). Conceptualization of individualism in Iran and its relation to classical concepts of individualism. Sociology of Social Institutions, 7(15), 9–30. (In Persian) https://sid.ir/paper/378939/fa
Azadeh, M. A., & Tavakoli, A. (2007). Individualism, collectivism and religiosity. Cultural and Communication Studies, 3(9), 101–126. (In Persian)
Bauman, Z. (2023). Liquid love: On the fragility of human bonds (A. Sabiti, Trans.). Ghoqnoos Publishing. (Original work published 2003). (In Persian)
Benedict, R. (1934). Patterns of culture. Houghton Mifflin.
Boudon, R. (2004). The logic of social action (A. H. Nik-Gohar, Trans.). Javid Publishing. (Original work published 1979). (In Persian)
Durkheim, É. (1984). The division of labour in society (G. Simpson, Trans.). The Macmillan Company. (Original work published 1893)
Flick, U. (2022). An introduction to qualitative research (H. Jalili, Trans.). Nashr-e Ney. (Original work published 2022). (In Persian)
Foroughi, M. (2021). We Iranians: A historical and social context of Iranian traits. Nashr-e Ney. (In Persian)
Ghiyasvand, A. (2015). Women's world in the light of modern urban gendered spaces. Local Development (Rural-Urban), 7(2), 299–322. (In Persian) https://doi.org/10.22059/jrd.2015.60565
Giddens, A. (1990). The consequences of modernity. Stanford University Press.
Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and self-identity: Self and society in the late modern age. Stanford University Press.
Javadi Yeganeh, M. R., & Hashemi, S. Z. (2008). A new look at the conflict between individualism and collectivism in sociology. Social Science Letter, (33), 131–161. (In Persian)
Karami, M. (2014). Individualism as individual utilities in social welfare function from the perspective of Islam and liberalism. Iranian Economic Essays with Islamic Approach, (21), 161–181. (In Persian).
Kazemi, A. (2022). The everyday in post-revolutionary society. Farhang-e Javid Publishing. (In Persian)
Nabavi, S. H. (2022). Individualism and collectivism in Iran: An analysis of the state of social ethics. Center for Cultural Observation Publishing. (In Persian)
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
Ritzer, G. (2022). Contemporary sociological theory (M. Solasi, Trans.). Elmi Publishing. (Original work published 2019). (In Persian)
Rothstein, B. (2014). Social traps and the problem of trust (L. Rahbari & Colleagues, Trans.). Agah Publishing. (Original work published 2005). (In Persian)
Sadeghi Fasaei, S., & Aminian, E. (2014). Sociological analysis of social order according to types of normativity and affecting social factors. Social Studies and Research in Iran, 3(2), 285–310. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22059/jisr.2014.53141
Sariolghalam, M. (2017). Rationality and development. Farzan-e Rooz Publishing. (In Persian)
shoeybi, M. (2021). Expression of the Relationship between Extremism Individualism and Social cohesion in Citizens. Socio-Cultural Changes, 18(70), 77–96. (In Persian) https://doi.org/10.30495/jscc.2021.690271
Simmel, G. (1900). The philosophy of money. Routledge.
Taylor, C. (1991). The ethics of authenticity. Harvard University Press.
Triandis, H. C., & Gelfland, M. J. (1998). Converging measurement of horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(1), 118–128.https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.1.118.
Weber, M. (1905). The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Routledge.
The Journal of Community Development (Rural-Urban)
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 33
Autumn and winter 2025
January 2025
Pages 267-282

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics