individualism Definition

1a. The belief that individual people should lead their lives as they want;

Thesaurus: egoism, libertarianism, freethinking, independence, self-direction; Antonym: conformity, conventionality.
1b. Behaviour governed by this belief. See also laissez-faire.
2. The theory that the state should in no way control the actions of the individual. Compare socialism, collectivism at collectivize.
3. Self-centredness; egoism.