America today is in the midst of an ideological struggle between individualism and collectivism, self-reliance and dependence. This struggle is playing out in our schools, our businesses, and our governing institutions. It is one of the defining issues of our time; yet, many Americans are unaware of the terms of the debate or of its implications for their own lives. Though America was founded upon the virtues of individual liberty and self-reliance, the importance of individualism is fading from our public consciousness.
Reviving American Individualism
The Center for Individualism was founded in 2017 to champion the virtue of individualism and to lead a revival of self-reliance in American society. We exist to remind this generation that individualism is the greatest driver of human wealth and well being the world has ever known. We seek to inspire and empower people to become self-reliant architects of their own futures.
CFI was founded and is led today by Hunter Hastings, a lifelong advocate for individual freedom and entrepreneurship. After graduating from Cambridge University, Hunter abandoned the collectivism of Europe to pursue greater economic and personal freedom in the United States. Over the next forty years, he made the most of this freedom by founding and serving as an executive at several successful venture-backed startups and major multinational firms. Hunter serves today as the co-manager of Bialla Venture Partners 2, LLC, an Expert in Residence at UC Irvine’s startup incubator, and a supporter of the Mises Institute.
Now is the Time to Act
The cause of individualism is entering a moment of both profound urgency and unique opportunity. The rising generation of Americans is in many ways more willing than its predecessors to embrace collectivism in politics and economics. This same generation, however, has elevated the entrepreneur to high cultural status, celebrating those who break free from convention and disrupt the status quo. The convergence of these trends makes now the opportune time to spark a revival of individualism and self-reliance in America. CFI is here to answer that call.
