Cafe Philo: collectivism?

DEBATE
2 volunteers to speak for 3-5 minutes at the beginning, one arguing for, the other arguing against the topic:
"The world needs more collectivism".

QUESTIONS
Are individualism and collectivism mutually exclusive?
Is there a golden mean for both?
What happens when either is taken to extreme?
Is adversarial (I am right) discussions a result of individualism or something different?

What reasons can you think of for why we ought to go along with others (i.e., be more collective)?
What reasons can you think of for why we ought to follow our own path (i.e., be more individualistic)?

What for *you* is the strongest reason for why we ought to be more collective?
AND ...
What for *you* is the strongest reason for why we ought to be more individualistic?

How might we respond to those who want the opposite path to us - eg we want more collectivism but they want individualism, or vice versa?

Do groups have 'minds' or 'intentions' independent of their members?
Are collectivist efforts at risk of being driven by powerful individuals?
Who is responsible if the 'group' makes a disastrous decision? Eg, is Marxism a failed experiment or a failed execution or...?

THOUGHT-STARTERS

Philosophers for individualism:
Kant: a person is a rational and autonomous being who is an "end in herself". Individuals must never be treated merely as a means to an end, but as beings with inherent dignity. A high moral value is placed on individual autonomy and choice.
Locke: individuals possess natural rights (life, liberty, and property),that exist independent of the state. His work forms the basis of classical liberalism.
Mill: defended the individual's right to act independently, provided they do not harm others, arguing that self-development and individuality are essential for social progress.
Emerson: championed self-reliance and nonconformity, arguing that individuals should trust their own intuition and resist the pressure to conform to societal, religious, or political institutions.
Thoreau: promoted individual conscience and resistance to unjust state actions, most notably in Civil Disobedience.
Rand: holds that the moral purpose of life is the pursuit of one's own rational self-interest, celebrating the individual as their own hero.

Philosophers for collectivism:
Rousseau: individuals find true freedom only by submitting to the "general will" of the community.
Hegel: an individual realises their true being and freedom only through strict adherence to the laws and institutions of the state, which he saw as the highest form of social morality.
Marx: advocate for a classless society where individuals work for the common good, abolishing private ownership.