Masculine individualism is not opposed to but seeks harmonious hierarchy. Men are not averse to an inferior station. A man readily accepts another’s superiority, if he is recognized as a man among men, having a skill that contributes to the whole. In this way, masculinity harmonizes equality and hierarchy such that the individual is empowered to serve the good of the whole. Masculinity provides a necessary ingredient for natural hierarchy formation: agonism. Men contend with each other and compete, and they can achieve respect as an individual in a group. Individualism and hierarchy are
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