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Origin of the phrase rugged individualism.
In the english language the word individualism was first introduced as a pejorative by utopian socialists such as the owenites in the late 1830s although it is unclear if they were influenced by saint simonianism or came up with it independently.
Meaning vigorous strong robust is american english by 1848.
We were challenged with a peace time choice between the american system of rugged individualism and a european philosophy of diametrically opposed doctrines doctrines of paternalism and state socialism.
A more positive use of the term in britain came to be used with the writings of james elishama smith who was a millenarian and a.
Rugged definition having a roughly broken rocky hilly or jagged surface.