ON AMERICAN INDIVIDUALISM AND ITS SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
摘 要
美国个人主义是西方资本主义意识形态的核心思想和主导价值观。个人主义作为一种意识形态和价值观，是美国人生活的主导价值观，己发展成为美国文化的核心并且在不同的历史阶段表现出不同的特征。
本论文论述了美国个人主义的成因，并且探讨了个人主义对美国社会、经济发展及人们意识形态的影响。需要指出的是，我们在研究个人主义价值的同时，必须本着科学的和客观的态度。
关键词：美国个人主义；意识形态；影响
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.
Keywords：American Individualism; Ideology; Influences
Contents
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
