The self within the collective 0 Given that we live in a society that does not value ideological discourse, preferring what Chinese leader Mao Zedong once characterised as the ‘liberal attitude of the mind (liberalism defined as a non-committal and uncritical acceptance of popular culture without critical analysis), it is understandable that even in cases of serious problems, such as the declining and weakening financial situation and teachers’ labour demands, no attention is accorded to analysis of the root causes of these problems. But there is a new philosophy, a new approach and indeed a new perspective championed by the youth of this country who constitute 60% of the population. They are beginning to realise that they must answer the questions perplexing society instead of just waiting for the liberating generation to provide answers. In this correct approach, we must advise the youth, they must pay attention to the analysis of the collective. What and who constitutes the collective? What are the needs and aspirations of those constituting the collective for the collective does not develop organically?The self within the collective 0 Given that we live in a society that does not value ideological discourse, preferring what Chinese leader Mao Zedong once characterised as the ‘liberal attitude of the mind (liberalism defined as a non-committal and uncritical acceptance of popular culture without critical analysis), it is understandable that even in cases of serious problems, such as the declining and weakening financial situation and teachers’ labour demands, no attention is accorded to analysis of the root causes of these problems. But there is a new philosophy, a new approach and indeed a new perspective championed by the youth of this country who constitute 60% of the population. They are beginning to realise that they must answer the questions perplexing society instead of just waiting for the liberating generation to provide answers. In this correct approach, we must advise the youth, they must pay attention to the analysis of the collective. What and who constitutes the collective? What are the needs and aspirations of those constituting the collective for the collective does not develop organically?