Capitalism... The Real Randian Meaning

By: Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA

Capitalism has proven to be the most productive force for growth ever known to mankind. The United States of America is the strongest,and perhaps the most enduring testament to this fact. However, given the realties of the past few decades it is natural that one question the logic of the above statement.

Let's take a look at the meaning of capitalism as only the world's strongest proponent of capitalism could express it.

The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim that it represents the best way to achieve “the common good.” It is true that capitalism does—if that catch-phrase has any meaning—but this is merely a secondary consequence. The moral justification of capitalism lies in the fact that it is the only system consonant with man’s rational nature, that it protects man’s survival qua man, and that its ruling principle is: justice. Ayn Rand

And further:

Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned.

The recognition of individual rights entails the banishment of physical force from human relationships: basically, rights can be violated only by means of force. In a capitalist society, no man or group may initiate the use of physical force against others. The only function of the government, in such a society, is the task of protecting man’s rights, i.e., the task of protecting him from physical force; the government acts as the agent of man’s right of self-defense, and may use force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use; thus the government is the means of placing the retaliatory use of force under objective control. 
Ayn Rand

If one considers the true meaning of the words above it is clear the current socio-economic system of the States does NOT fall within the definition of true capitalism. It is evident that the government is culpable for this failure on two fronts.

First is the issue of the government taking the profits of companies that are healthy and contributing to economic growth by force to work the so called socialist magic. Second is the fact that many American corporations are lined up at the governmental trough asking for preferential treatment by way of subsidies and tax benefits.

True capitalism in essence is the free trade of individuals or companies on an open market whereby all parties become the beneficiaries of financial gain. The operative words here are, ALL PARTIES. This means the producers and the consumers within the system.

Our current system is in realty is a mixed economic system. Which is to say a system comprised of elements of capitalism within a tightly controlled regulatory system of government oversight and special interests.

As a result we as a nation has have witnessed stagnant growth in the lower and middle class while at the same time seeing meteoric expansion in the wealth of the upper echelon of our society. I remind you here that I am an independent conservative and a Randian capitalist. So there can be no confusion I refer you to back to Rand's words... "The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim that it represents the best way to achieve “the common good.” It is true that capitalism does—if that catch-phrase has any meaning—but this is merely a secondary consequence. The moral justification of capitalism lies in the fact that it is the only system consonant with man’s rational nature, that it protects man’s survival qua man, and that its ruling principle is: justice.

What Rand is saying here in essence is this... For capitalism to be the economic engine of growth and prosperity that it historically has been requires that ALL within the capitalist system experience growth and increased prosperity. Not just large favored corporations receiving special interests or the CEO's of Mega Corporations.

 I now refer you to a quotation of one of our Founding Fathers.

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence. Thomas Jefferson

I do not know with certainty what Jefferson was referring to those many years past. What I do know is the truth of his words apply one hundred times over with respect to  the current economic realities of today. Our economy is designed to insure the continued wealth of the top echelon of society. A group that includes as many wealthy Democrats as it does Republicans.

I am an independent conservative. What I wish to "conserve" is rational thought, reason, fiscal responsibility, liberty for all, a true Randian capitalist society in which everyone benefits from economic growth, and spirited yet civil dialog between opposing viewpoints. Much as our Founding  Fathers had to accomplish during the long hot summer of 1776 in Philadelphia.

We have allowed our country to become a nation governed by the dangerous troika of expansive government with an aggressive social agenda, Mega Corporations looking for the next corporate welfare  subsidy, and the Military Industrial Complex.

So yeah, I am proud to be an Independent Conservative looking to conserve the founding principals on which this nation was built. 

For a comprehensive read I refer you here.

Via: Memeorandum

Comments

  1. Exactly what did Ayn Rand mean when she said:

    "The moral justification of capitalism lies in the fact that it is the only system consonant with man’s rational nature..."

    What is man's rational nature?

    If man's rational nature is "..kill or be killed..."

    The obviously our current economic system would be exactly what Ayn Rand said it would be...

    Obviously, if one has economic clout should one not benefit from it? If ones economic clout allows one to influence political decisions, that in turn will benefit them economically then is it not in man's rational nature to do so?

    Looks to me, if you use the 'rational nature' argument then obviously we have the perfect economic system...too bad its not self sustaining...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

    And at this point I frankly don't give a s**t either.

    In fact I don't think even you know what you're talking about.

    So, save it for another day when you do.

    ReplyDelete

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