collectivism
gb/kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/ us/kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
1
group-first social outlook
a way of thinking that puts the group before the individual
Usage pattern:
collectivism in [society/culture/group]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse collectivism with collection, which means a group of objects or the act of collecting things.
Synonyms
group orientation (more neutral and common in social-science or workplace discussion)
|
communalism (emphasizes community life and shared interests)
Antonyms
individualism (emphasizes individual freedom, identity, and responsibility over the group)
Collocations
cultural collectivism
|social collectivism
|a sense of collectivism
|collectivism and individualism
|collectivism over individualism
|traditional collectivism
|strong collectivism
|community collectivism
Themes
society
|culture
|politics
|social_science
|values
Examples
- The study compares individualism and collectivism in different workplace cultures.
- In some families, collectivism shapes decisions about education, marriage, and money.
- The campaign appealed to a spirit of collectivism and shared responsibility.
Learner examples
- Collectivism means the group is more important than one person.
- The culture values collectivism and family duty.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
2
collective ownership ideology
a political or economic idea that property and businesses should be owned or controlled by the community or the state
Usage pattern:
collectivism in [politics/economics]
Common mistake:
Collectivism can describe broad group-first values, not only communism or socialism.
Synonyms
socialism (often overlaps, but socialism is a broader and more specific political tradition)
|
communal ownership (focuses on shared ownership rather than the whole ideology)
Antonyms
capitalism (emphasizes private ownership and market competition)
|
privatization (refers to transferring ownership or control from the public sector to private owners)
Collocations
economic collectivism
|political collectivism
|state collectivism
|socialist collectivism
|collectivism and capitalism
|forms of collectivism
|a move toward collectivism
|oppose collectivism
Themes
politics
|economics
|government
|ideology
Examples
- Critics argued that the proposal would lead to economic collectivism.
- The party rejected collectivism and defended private property rights.
- In the early twentieth century, debates about collectivism often focused on land and industrial ownership.
Learner examples
- Some politicians support collectivism in parts of the economy.
- Collectivism can mean shared or state control of resources.
Grammar
Dictionary form
collectivism
IPA
GB/kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
US/kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
col - lect - iv - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lect)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: collectivism
- Plural: collectivism
Expressions
individualism versus collectivism
1/ˌɪndɪvɪdˈuəlˌɪzəm vˈɚsəz kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
individual-group value contrast
the difference between putting the individual first and putting the group first
Examples
- The article explains individualism versus collectivism in cross-cultural communication.
- Managers should understand individualism versus collectivism when leading international teams.
- The course uses individualism versus collectivism as one way to compare social values.
methodological collectivism
1/mˌɛθədəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
group-based social explanation
a research approach that explains society by looking first at groups and institutions, not individual people
Examples
- The sociologist was accused of methodological collectivism because she treated institutions as the main causes of behavior.
- Methodological collectivism is often contrasted with methodological individualism.
- The debate over methodological collectivism concerns how social explanations should be built.
state collectivism
1/stˈeɪt kəlˈɛktɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
state-controlled collectivism
a system where the government controls important property or economic activity for the group
Examples
- Opponents described the nationalization plan as state collectivism.
- The book examines state collectivism in several twentieth-century economies.
- He supported cooperation but rejected state collectivism.