Rand, Classical Liberalism, and Independent Conservatism
by Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Ayn Rand was perhaps one of the most objective 20th century thinkers and should be a revered icon of liberals. Hell, she even considered herself a liberal (actually a radical) and had problems with the Republican establishment. You can find in her own words her position on conservatism here . It is hard to say for those of us who have studied Rand, and in the process became adherents to her Objectivist philosophy whether she would still consider herself in opposition to conservative thought. My money is on she would. While Rand considered herself a radical for laissez faire capitalism she was very much a classical liberal. Classical in the sense of the great 18th century liberal revolutionaries that fomented unrest in the British colonies that ultimately lead to a revolution and the founding of our republic. Almost without exception most liberals, or progressives today revile Rand. Rather than understanding her objective principles and the...