They oppose most external interference with an individual's choices - whether by society, the state, or any other group or institution. Individualism is therefore opposed to holism, collectivism, communalism, and communitarianism which stress communal, societal or national goals.

Individualism has a controversial relationship with egoism (selfishness). While some individualists are egoists, they usually do not argue that selfishness is inherently good. Rather, they argue that individuals are not duty-bound to any socially-imposed morality; they believe that individuals should be free to choose to be selfish (or to choose any other lifestyle) if they so desire. Ayn Rand argued against this "moral relativism" and throughout her writings described selfishness as a virtue and ethical egoism as the only rational morality for a human being.