Demidova Y. —
Collectivism and individualism in patrimonial estate communities on the example of two ecological settlements in Central Russia
// History magazine - researches. – 2020. – ¹ 5.
– P. 26 - 41.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0609.2020.5.34131
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/hsmag/article_34131.html
Read the article
Abstract: This article examines the correlation between individualism and collectivism with regards to economic and household activities, as well as festive culture in the settlements during fairs, festivals and holidays. Characteristics is given to the phenomenon of ecological settlements. Chronology of the development of this movement is provided. The author reviews the economic practices alongside private and collective leisure activities, determines the features of individualism and collectivism thereof. Analysis of the content of leisure activities demonstrates the clear prevalence of collectivism, which indicates the need for realization of the ideological principle through social practices within the community. However, the economic activities of Anastasians mark the prevalence of individualism, which is widely described in the narratives, and illustrates significance of the processes of personal fulfillment and self-actualization in the new environment. In realization of the aforementioned practices, inhabitants of the settlements resort to the “traditional, passed down through generations lifestyle”. The author believes that sociocultural practices represent an attempt to integrate positive aspects of modern individualism and archaic collectivism and communalism. The conclusion is made that the practices of patrimonial estate communities are collective in nature, which distinguishes them from the practices of urban life; however, they remain individualistic. What was considered an ordinary collective practice in peasant environment, now can be interpreted as the infringement of personal space, since the individual becomes the supreme unit, initiator of most cultural practices, both individualistic and collectivistic (harvest festivals or community help on birthdays). The communities of patrimonial estates mark the formation of new social reality, which intertwines the individual and the collective.