“Collectivism is the political theory that states that the will of the people is omnipotent, an individual must obey; that society as a whole, not the individual, is the unit of moral value. ... Collectivism is the application of the altruist ethics to politics.”

A more honest and accurate definition of "Collectivism" is Merriam-Webster's: "a political or economic system in which the government owns businesses, land, etc." The will of the people is only an occasional consideration in Collectivism's actual application. The term "will of the people" is only a catch phrase to deceive the ignorant sheeple. The quote nears an accurate cord when it some what alludes to individuals having no recognized inalienable rights in collectivism. Equating collectivism to an "unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness" (altuism) or an expected righteous understanding of "ethics to politics" are most heinous lies meant to deceive ignorant sheeple. He who forgets history is doomed to relive it. Collectivism is replete with compelled compliance, governmental license, victimless crimes, governmental larceny with impunity, and denial of inalienable rights, natural law, justice, freedom, liberty and all else that is defined by tyranny and despotism.

Mike, good comment - good to see you are still keeping the grey matter active... "Collectivism" must never rule over the individuals inalienable rights.... As the old saying goes (we are not free as long as one individual is enslaved" or something like that.

I give the quote a thumbs up because it is true - not because I support collectivism. I like Bernstein's definition. particularly "that society as a whole, not the individual, is the unit of moral value." This is a simple test to determine whether one's views are collectivist