Not all rugged individualists consume Fox News! We peek from time to time at CNN or MSNBC. Why would we ever watch the opposition? That’s crazy talk. Rugged individualism is dynamic and unpredictable.
Rugged individualists are Americans who love the outdoors, protect America’s integrity, and promote patriotism. They mimic the Founding Father’s philosophy believing in self-reliance and self-responsibility. A limited government is the best way to secure the liberties gained over two centuries.
If you’re reading this, either you are a rugged individualist or hate them. There is no middle ground. You wish they’d go away. Or you’re wanting to find more friendships. Whatever brings you here, thanks for visiting.
I will provide you insight into what they feel is important.
Warrior Culture: A True American Identity
When the British wanted to inflict more tyranny, Americans said, “NO!”. Americans no longer wanted a part of an oppressive culture.
At this point, the term “rugged individualism” didn’t exist. However, this became the rumblings of a uniquely American identity.
On the Revolutionary battlefields, each state carried its different militia flags. Each flag presented a clear message:
“We love our country. We will defend it!”
Patriots Everywhere
One of the most famous flags is the “Gadsden Flag”. Designed in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden, he gifted the flag to Commodore Esek Hopkins. And Hopkins raised this flag on the USS Alfred’s mast to declare liberty from Great Britain.
To affirm your allegiance to freedom, I’m sure you have this symbol as your license plate.
The flag has a snake ready to strike with the words “Don’t Tread on Me” etched on it. Essentially, the snake warns of trouble if the threat of tyranny doesn’t disappear.
Rugged individualists are the defenders against this oppression. They’re the warriors who protect your right to speak against them.
Defense of the “Self”
Are rugged individualists selfish? Do terms such as self-reliance and self-responsibility mean a solitary lifestyle?
I’m here to help clear the air on those questions.
Self-Reliance- A Patriot’s Mantra
Every rugged individualist’s dream is to buy a plot of land. They want to learn the skills that built this country. You can refer to this as the pioneer spirit.
Experiencing the outdoors is part of being “rugged”. You want to feel the wind rush through your hair. Or the smells of a fresh-cut hay field permeate your inner self.
One of the only ways to feel these sensations is to live away from society. For those where land is scarce, we go to city parks.
Remember when I said rugged individualists are unpredictable? You did not expect me to say, “city parks”. Surviving on your own intuition doesn’t always mean you’re lonely.
Yes, you’re able to live in a city whether it is in a subdivision with a yard or a condo. We are practicable people. Our self-reliance requires we have the income to meet our needs.
Self-Responsibility- Guide to Freedom
Self-responsibility is part of the “rugged” code. Through self-reliance, we maintain our ethics of self-responsibility.
We fess up when a situation doesn’t always go as planned. Our word is our honor.
We only want the best for humanity. Yet, we state people must take active roles in their outcomes.
Responsible people built the airports, roads, and bridges. What would happen if a lazy engineer took the lead? The interstate bridge would collapse, and then, your car is in the river. What an awful thought!
Homestead, Prepper, and Firearm Cultures
These cultures are spin-offs of the rugged individualist mentality.
Homestead Culture
I mentioned above about wanting to acquire a piece of land for the pioneer spirit. This subset of the “rugged” culture popularizes it.
When you have land you can:
- graze it
- farm it
- stare at its beauty
All homesteaders approve of this message.
Having property and limited government results in endless positive experiences. The personal satisfaction you receive from creating a substance from scratch is immeasurable. You’d call it priceless. It doesn’t involve materialism.
Homesteaders I’ve talked to have a skillset I admire. Most of the populous travel in their car to the grocery store. Yet, the homesteaders are the grocery store and produce all their basic needs.
What an amazing piece of rugged individualist thought.
Where did the homestead culture start? How did the original pioneers acquire the land? LEARN MORE about the rugged individualism’s roots.
Prepper Culture
At some point in the not-too-distant past, currency became toilet paper.
“I’ll hand you 3 rolls for a can of beans.”
Master Toilet Paper Negotiator
Times change fast and without warning.
The mindset to prep involves both self-reliance and self-responsibility.
Similarly, the Founding Fathers prepped for the British onslaught. Preppers today are the rugged individualists when SHTF- s*** hits the fan. You’ll run to them for assistance. And they’ll help you.
Also, governments prep too. They’ll need provisions when adversaries attack.
There are secret plans when:
- nukes reign down
- foreign assassins attempt to take the life of a president
- random unthinkable events Hollywood dramatizes
Preppers are the individualists you’ll call when situations are dicey.
Firearm Culture
Foreigners describe America as the “land of firearms”. We have more of them than people.
Critics see this as a threat to civil society. They forget about one small obstacle- the 2nd amendment.
What is this 2nd amendment you speak of?
Instituted by the Founders, it became a way to protect colonists against human nature. Evil exists in the world and combined with the power of government makes a recipe for tyranny. An armed citizenry protects against the infringement of rights.
Rugged individualists know having access to firearms mandates great responsibility. We treat it as such.
Firearm culture promotes true gun safety- not confiscation. Hunting and other recreational activities are benefits.
I do answer your general questions about American culture. LEARN MORE by reading my article on where individualism fits into America.
Criticisms of the Rugged Individualists
I don’t know any movement or section of society where there isn’t opposition. Here are the talking points of the hard-core anti-freedom rugged individualists’ haters.
Promotes Toxic Masculinity Myth
By adding this one adjective, masculinity needs a defense. The stigma makes you feel this nasty, ugly feeling toward people who love America.
Other types of “toxic” concepts include:
- “toxic” positivity
- “toxic” femininity
- “toxic” people
In other words, you can put toxic in front of anything and make it a negative term.
Thus, the stereotype goes like this:
Rugged individualists are angry white males in the latter part of life.
The Haters
Is this true? If you believe it, then it is true…only in your mind.
Reality tells me toxic males are the ones who hate themselves and abuse people. We don’t condone this type of violence.
Rugged individualism promotes masculinity as a warrior culture to ensure others’ safety. Women also develop masculine qualities out of necessity.
We live in a world of equality and 50/50 relationships.
|
Issue |
Toxic Masculinity |
Rugged Individualism Masculinity |
|
Abusive |
Yes |
Protectors |
|
Overbearing |
Yes |
Discusses solutions to problems |
|
Crazy |
Yes |
Rational, thoughtful |
So, don’t associate toxic masculinity with rugged individualism. Because we aren’t the same.
Income Inequality
Money is part of society no one likes to talk about. But it is a system of measurement used in society.
As a result, some people have lots of wealth while others don’t. Income inequality is the epic debate between individualists and collectivists.
Rugged individualists’ solution to income disparities is to promote self-reliance. Earning your own income is key to a life full of potential. We call it “bootstrap mentality”.
Bootstrap Mentality
1. Identify your problem
2. Develop a solution
3. Attack the problem with vigor and determination to solve it
On the other side, critics want the big hands of government to solve all problems. They accomplish their goal through unlimited social welfare. Everyone is a victim incapable of independent thoughts. In their minds, we only distribute funds to the “deserving”.
The “deserving” includes the:
- the elderly
- mentally challenged
I’m for giving people opportunities to succeed. Developing codependency on the government for all your needs never ends up good. You have no power for controlling your life.
Big government budgets don’t bode well for liberty and self-responsibility.
Conclusion
Rugged individualism is a philosophy derived from the Founding Fathers’ fight for freedom. Once Patriots silenced British canons, the following decades grew an iconic movement.
We take inspiration and guidance from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Both these documents support the notion of self-reliance and self-responsibility. They’re crucial to American independence.
Don’t underestimate the “ruggeds”. They love their country more than you know. We love the founding principles of freedom and liberty.
Watching the flag fly every 4th of July makes us proud.
If you need help, ask the preppers, homesteaders, or firearm people. They’ll be the helping hand reaching out to you.
What are your beliefs about rugged individuals? Do you hate them or love them?
J. Liberty
- If you want to know the code of individualists, LEARN MORE by reading the principles of individualism.
- Collectivists try to hinder a “rugged’s” freedom. LEARN MORE about the politics, economics, and family dynamics of your natural opposition.
References:
Gadsden Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia
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