--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [American] conformism might approximate…" description: "\"[American] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/paul-tillich-3183_collectivism_american-conformism-might-approximate-co_52875.jpg" --- # \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not… ![“[American] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern of daily life and thought. Whether this will happen or not, and if it does to what degree, is partly dependent on the power of resistance in…” quote by Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/paul-tillich-3183_collectivism_american-conformism-might-approximate-co_52875.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/paul-tillich-3183_collectivism_american-conformism-might-approximate-co_52875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c1/paul-tillich-3183_collectivism_american-conformism-might-approximate-co_52875.jpg) > “\[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern of daily life and thought. Whether this will happen or not, and if it does to what degree, is partly dependent on the power of resistance in those who represent the opposite pole of the courage to be, the courage to be as oneself.” [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American conformity mirrors collectivist habits in everyday behavior and mindset, though not fully in economics or politics, and its spread hinges on the strength of dissenting individuals who embody authentic selfhood. **In simple terms:** Conformity vs. authentic individuality. Key Takeaway Resistance shapes societal patterns. Themes conformity collectivism individuality courage social dynamics Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical sociopolitical When to use this quote - academic discourse - political activism - cultural critique - personal development Key Concepts social pressure authenticity political resistance Practical Applications - sociological analysis - leadership training Questions to Reflect On - How does personal courage counteract pervasive conformity? - What mechanisms sustain authentic self-expression in collective societies? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American Conformism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-conformism-745605/) [Approximate Collectivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approximate-collectivism-745607/) [Collectivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism/) [Conformism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformism/) [Conformism Approximate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformism-approximate-745606/) [Daily life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-life/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Dependent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependent/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Patterns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patterns/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) ## Related quotes > [Individualism is the self-affirmation of the individual self as individual self without regard to its participation in its world. As such it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/individualism-is-the-self-affirmation-of-the-individual-self-as/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [We live in a true chaos of contradicting authorities, an age of conformism without community, of proximity without communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/we-live-in-a-true-chaos-of-contradicting-authorities-an-age-of/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [“even there, where the rejection of the system is taken for granted and for that reason a lax and cunning conformism of its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodor-w-adorno/even-there-where-the-rejection-of-the-system-is-taken-for-granted-and/) [Theodor W. Adorno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodor-w-adorno/) > [“Some killed from murderous conviction. But many others who killed were just afraid to stand out. other forces were at work besides conformism. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/some-killed-from-murderous-conviction-but-many-others-who-killed-were/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [“Institutions are “stable, valued, recurring patterns of behavior,” as Huntington put it, the most important function of which is to facilitate collective action. Without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/institutions-are-stable-valued-recurring-patterns-of-behavior-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The private realm of the household was the sphere where the necessities of life, of individual survival as well as of continuity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/the-private-realm-of-the-household-was-the-sphere-where-the/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [Our Press and our schools cultivate Chauvinism, militarism, dogmatism, conformism and ignorance. The arbitrary power of the Government is unlimited, and unexampled in history;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/our-press-and-our-schools-cultivate-chauvinism-militarism-dogmatism/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [Violence represents the worst kind of conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/violence-represents-the-worst-kind-of-conformism/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [The conformist understands that the reason of his desperate look for conformism is that he realises he is different and that he never accepted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernardo-bertolucci/the-conformist-understands-that-the-reason-of-his-desperate-look-for/) [Bernardo Bertolucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernardo-bertolucci/) > [“Human history is the ancient story of the umbilical conflict between a lone individual versus a cabalistic society. A love-hate relationship defines our personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/human-history-is-the-ancient-story-of-the-umbilical-conflict-between/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [Conformism is a potent statement, and as much as we do talk about individuality in fashion, there's a sense that people are fearful of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/conformism-is-a-potent-statement-and-as-much-as-we-do-talk-about/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [“Cowen detects conformism even in the liveliest Silicon Valley companies. Most of its denizens wear some variation on the casual hipster uniform and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-luce/cowen-detects-conformism-even-in-the-liveliest-silicon-valley/) [Edward Luce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-luce/) > [“Yeah,” Robertson nodded grimly. “It’s the whole problem, isn’t it? People just doing their jobs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-pacy-ski/yeah-robertson-nodded-grimly-it-s-the-whole-problem-isn-t-it-people/) [Krzysztof Pacyński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-pacy-ski/) > [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [I make no concessions to conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/i-make-no-concessions-to-conformism/) [Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/) ## More by Paul Tillich > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/faith-is-the-state-of-being-ultimately-concerned/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [There is no condition for forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/there-is-no-condition-for-forgiveness/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/he-who-risks-and-fails-can-be-forgiven-he-who-never-risks-and-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Symbols have one characteristic in common with signs; they point beyond themselves to something else. The red sign at the street corner points to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/symbols-have-one-characteristic-in-common-with-signs-they-point/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In those who rest on their unshakable faith, pharisaism and fanaticism are the unmistakable symptoms of doubt which has been repressed. Doubt is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-those-who-rest-on-their-unshakable-faith-pharisaism-and-fanaticism/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [When you love someone and you love them with your heart, it never disappears when you're apart. Anh when you love someone and you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/when-you-love-someone-and-you-love-them-with-your-heart-it-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/being-religious-means-asking-passionately-the-question-of-the-meaning/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The joy about our work is spoiled when we perform it not because of what we produce but because of the pleasure with which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-joy-about-our-work-is-spoiled-when-we-perform-it-not-because-of/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In the courageous standing of uncertainty, faith shows most visibly its dynamic character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-the-courageous-standing-of-uncertainty-faith-shows-most-visibly/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [For love ... is the blood of life, the power of reunion in the separated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/for-love-is-the-blood-of-life-the-power-of-reunion-in-the-separated/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Man's ultimate concern must be expressed symbolically, because symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-s-ultimate-concern-must-be-expressed-symbolically-because/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [man is free, in so far as he has the power of contradicting himself and his essential nature. Man is free even from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-is-free-in-so-far-as-he-has-the-power-of-contradicting-himself/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The citizens of a city are not guilty of the crimes committed in their city; but they are guilty as participants in the destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-citizens-of-a-city-are-not-guilty-of-the-crimes-committed-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [God does not exist. He is being-itself beyond essence and existence. Therefore to argue that God exists is to deny him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/god-does-not-exist-he-is-being-itself-beyond-essence-and-existence/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) [Explore all 136 Paul Tillich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## More Collectivism quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Socialists and Progressives confuse compassion and compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-samaan/socialists-and-progressives-confuse-compassion-and-compulsion/) [A.E. Samaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-e-samaan/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“He needed the people and the clamour around him. There was no questions and no doubts when he stood on a platform over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/he-needed-the-people-and-the-clamour-around-him-there-was-no/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [It is true that the virtues which are less esteemed and practiced now--independence, self-reliance, and the willingness to bear risks, the readiness to back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/it-is-true-that-the-virtues-which-are-less-esteemed-and-practiced-now/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [A noble person stands up as though a theater curtain rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-noble-person-stands-up-as-though-a-theater-curtain-rises/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [I don't envisage collectivism. There is no such animal, it is always individualism, sometimes the rest vote and sometimes they do not, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-don-t-envisage-collectivism-there-is-no-such-animal-it-is-always/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“They say, 'No private property', and immediately after strive to maintain private property in its daily manifestations. 'You shall be a commune as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pyotr-kropotkin/they-say-no-private-property-and-immediately-after-strive-to-maintain/) [Pyotr Kropotkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pyotr-kropotkin/) > [“the only secure basis for oligarchy is collectivism. Wealth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-only-secure-basis-for-oligarchy-is-collectivism-wealth/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Subconsciously it is possible to act, consciously it is possible to decide and overconsciously to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/subconsciously-it-is-possible-to-act-consciously-it-is-possible-to/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Unfortunately, our leadership decided to abandon the model that had made us rich and embrace the impoverishing ideas of collectivism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/unfortunately-our-leadership-decided-to-abandon-the-model-that-had/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [By consequence I hold that no one ever did, or can do, anything for "society."... Comte invented the term altruism as an antonym for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/by-consequence-i-hold-that-no-one-ever-did-or-can-do-anything-for/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The grossest insult is crumbled before the gentlest irony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/the-grossest-insult-is-crumbled-before-the-gentlest-irony/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) [Browse all 246 Collectivism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[American] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern of daily life and thought. 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