“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” -Oscar Wilde

     The struggle of adhering to either the individual or society is one that has been debated for centuries. As the cultures of America shift through the decades, the balance between individual and society is altered, creating a shift in the importance of the two. For example, during John Winthrop's era, the society was regarded in a high fashion and the individual was held to little importance. Society is obliged to the individual because after all society consists of groups of individuals. Without the individual, society would be quite boring and new ideas would not be created. Part of the genius behind a full fledged society is the fact that it it comprised of individuals working to better the world they live in. The most successful societies have rules that are in tact but also have individuals who are willing to contribute positively to society and take just as much as they put in. When this occurs, society can ultimately give back to the individual because there is a balance. This is seen in paved roads, a set currency and public schools. Society can provide a positive place to grown up and become successful in life but it gives no freebies. In the same manner, society can also set up an individual to fail. Based in societal implications and racism, certain types of people were set up to fail throughout American history, especially African Americans. even after obtaining suffrage, there were poll tests to "weed out" those who were not deemed intelligent enough to vote. However, most often it discriminated against the poorly educated newly freed African Americans. Society is obliged to respond to the individual because that is what shapes it. Depending on the individuals partaking in a certain society, the manners in which people behave and the way people dress can be a direct link to society and its ability to shift and change almost on a day to day basis. In this case, directly violating laws and going against society is an okay thing to do because there is a flaw in society, and individuals must take it upon themselves and change it for the better, or the worse. Either way, a change must be made and it is up to the individual to make that change.
     People are also obliged to uphold the laws of society. The United States Government gives the American people many added benefits that societies all over the world only dream of. It is only fair to uphold the rules of society in order to receive these extra perks of living in a democratic nation.   By accepting these "gifts" such as paved roads and public schools, we are agreeing to oblige to society and not create an uncivilized uproar. This is not to say we should not have the power to have our voice heard, and that is exactly the idea behind a perfect democratic society. In the most basic terms, the only way that the individual should defy society is when one feels that there is injustice occurring, such as the Civil Rights movement or the womens suffrage movement. The role of the individual is necessary to society in the same way that society is necessary to the individual. Th individual ultimately shapes society and can be one of the only predictions of our future.