Nations like Communist Russia and the still practicing Chinese for of Communism show that even when this ideology is perpetuated for the masses in terms of real economic implementation, many individuals within the regime fall into desperate conditions. Without any sort of financial stability, one may never be able to fully support his or her family. So what is one to do when the society one lives requires a certain level of devotion and acceptance of working for the common good? Jean-Jacques Rousseau spoke of the idea of a "social contract" between an individual and his or her government, stating that as long as the government is uphold it's side of the contractual agreement, i.e. laws ensuring the benefit of the individual, the individual should give up certain things in order to hold up their end of the contract, i.e. obeying those laws. However, based on the judgment of the individual, if he or she believes that they are...

This ideology is an evolution of individual rights above the common good, but it adapts in order to allow some sort of cooperation between individuals within the same society.
In order to successfully thrive in society today, one must ensure one's place within that society by putting one's own interests above any one else's. Without doing so, individuals limit their own capabilities and success for the good of a stranger. By looking to benefit oneself over anyone else, then each individual can turn to help improve other's interests with more certainty. One can't help any one else if he or she is on shaky grounds themselves.

Works Cited

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. Hackett Publishing, 1992. p. 28.