This article explores how power can individualize, rendering us isolated and fearful, but also how power can be wielded to challenge such conditions. It is argued that subjectivity should not be confused with individualism, for although we are all individualized, and understand ourselves as individuals, subjectivity is constituted through social relations, that give rise to collective meaning, sentiments and affiliations. These issues are considered in the context of an automobile manufacturing company, where there was an attempt to constitute individualistic employees through anti-unionism and, paradoxically, teamworking. The article elucidates the polarity within the Labour Process debate, arguing that much of the controversy and confusion stems from a dualistic reading of the issues involved.
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