Strategien der Individualisierung: Neue Konzepte und Befunde zur soziologischen Individualisierungsthese

The concept of individualization generally carries negative connotations: be it with respect to a growing separation and isolation of individuals, or with respect to the increase in actions perceived as selfish, by people who lose sight of the greater good. For this reason, processes of individualization are often discussed as a threat to the constitution of modern societies. This study, on the other hand, presents a new reading of individualization. Guided by Miklas Luhmann's works and backed up by results from an empirical study, Bettina-Johanna Krings presents a sociological observation that interprets the demand toward individualization as a necessary challenge in modern societies.