(no subject)
The U.S. government has escalated its traditional interference in the economy. (Some) business leaders are upset. Upset enough to promote Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. There is allegedly a movement for productive members of society to protest the government's escalation by "going Galt."
This is a direct reference to the novel. Rand supposes that society is truly run by a minority of productive people, with the rest existing as parasites, effectively enslaving the producers by various sociological and psychological means. One producer, John Galt, sees through the propaganda, and responds by leading the producers in a strike. All the good people stop producing. The parasites are left to blindly make society function. They fail. The producers return in triumph, to take their rightful place as masters of the world.
Now, I haven't read much about the current Randian resurgence, but the idea that current events are paralleling the novel doesn't stand up to a cursory examination.
Yes, in Atlas Shrugged, the heroes were burdened by government interference, and outright nationalization of their companies. Yes, this is happening in the real world today.
However, in Atlas Shrugged, the government interfered with profitable, successful business. The government was siphoning off / stealing profit.
Is anyone seriously claiming that AIG or Bear-Sterns or the U.S. automakers are profitable companies? Is anyone seriously claiming that the government is stepping in to steal their money?
Anyone?
This is a direct reference to the novel. Rand supposes that society is truly run by a minority of productive people, with the rest existing as parasites, effectively enslaving the producers by various sociological and psychological means. One producer, John Galt, sees through the propaganda, and responds by leading the producers in a strike. All the good people stop producing. The parasites are left to blindly make society function. They fail. The producers return in triumph, to take their rightful place as masters of the world.
Now, I haven't read much about the current Randian resurgence, but the idea that current events are paralleling the novel doesn't stand up to a cursory examination.
Yes, in Atlas Shrugged, the heroes were burdened by government interference, and outright nationalization of their companies. Yes, this is happening in the real world today.
However, in Atlas Shrugged, the government interfered with profitable, successful business. The government was siphoning off / stealing profit.
Is anyone seriously claiming that AIG or Bear-Sterns or the U.S. automakers are profitable companies? Is anyone seriously claiming that the government is stepping in to steal their money?
Anyone?