There are numerous ways of classifying liberalism, some more accurate than others, but the one that predominates the mainstream conservative mind is so called “collectivism”. The mainstream conservative often views politics as a battle between individualism and collectivism. This is mistaken for two reasons. The first is that individualism or the politics of atomized individual self-determination, is the very essence of liberalism. The second is that no sound conservative movement should idolize the atomized self.
Liberalism is the political doctrine that securing individual freedom and equal rights is the primary purpose of government. Thus the purpose of liberal government is to advance, protect and defend the atomized individual — the power and ability of the individual to freely self-create and self-define — from external interference, influence and judgement. Equality is concomitant with individual autonomy since every individual is free to self-create and self-define, all preferences, desires and choices are equally valid and thus must be equally promoted and defended. To say that some desires and preferences are better than others is to privilege particular choices and is thus ‘phobic’, 'discriminatory' or 'bigoted'. However, the mainstream conservative critique of liberalism as “collectivist” is not entirely wrong because atomized individualism or liberalism requires a totalitarian government powerful enough to control every aspect of life (e.g. a Christian opining that the choice of a prostitute isn't good must be suppressed since it suggests that her consensual, free and equal choice is inferior to the choice of a wife and mother). In short, the totalitarian liberal state will control or punish any institution, economic transaction, religion or choice in opposition to liberalism all in the advancement of individual autonomy.
The second problem with the mainstream conservative critique is that it incorrectly places the individual at the foundation of civilization thus undermining the common good of each individual. As Aristotle observed, the first partnerships among human beings are between “persons who cannot exist without one another”. This pair is one male and one female in the Sacrament of Marriage. From this pair, families are born and from families, villages and from villages, nations. In other words, it is only through a proper understanding of the common good and the nature of Man as a social being that true individualism and freedom is possible:
In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person:
“Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together.”
By common good is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily." The common good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements:
First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, such as "the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard . . . privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."
Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on.
Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defense.
…
The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around." This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love.
The mainstream conservative is not entirely incorrect to observe the “collectivist” or totalitarian nature of liberalism, but it is liberalisms radical individualism that necessarily collapses into totalitarianism. True freedom and the dignity of persons requires a proper understanding of the common good, justice and Truth. Rather than politics as a battle between “individualism” and “collectivism”, it remains a battle between the True and Good and the false and wicked.