Do you know what Ayn Rand thought of Libertarians?

Question

Libertarianism: What it isn't
Friday, March 30, 2007
By: Jeff Britting

Libertarianism: What it isn't

Re "What's not to like about Libertarianism?" Current, March 25

Ayn Rand did not write novels of "uncompromising libertarianism." In her view, libertarianism has no philosophy to uphold uncompromisingly. Libertarianism rejects the need for a consistent, objective, philosophic defense of liberty and regards politics as primary. Rand was a defender of reason and recognized that political freedom requires a philosophy of reason and egoism. That is why Rand repeatedly condemned the libertarian movement, regarding herself, instead, as a "radical for capitalism." For further explanation, see Rand's novel of uncompromising objectivist, not libertarian, ideas--"Atlas Shrugged"--celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

JEFF BRITTING
Irvine
The writer is an archivist at the Ayn Rand Institute.
This letter was published in the LA Times (March 30, 2007)

http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=14341&news_iv_ctrl=1223

Answer 1

Ann Rand is an objectivist not a Libertarian. Yes many of us like Ann's philosophy, but we are not objectivist of any kind.

Answer 2

Rand was a propagandist used by big business to propagate the belief that capitalism is a fair and equitable economic system for all involved. Nothing more, nothing less. Much in the same vain as Friedman. Notice how these supposed economic genuises sprung up around the time big business really began to take control, and when people started to recognize this fact and consequently become concerned. You want an honest and accurate description of capitalism look towards Marx, not these lightweights.

Answer 3

Ayn Rand did not consider herself to be a libertarian which makes it ironic that she has become such a libertarian icon.

Answer 4

Ann Rand was a twit that reduced everything to an "ism". I wouldn't put too much faith in her "movements" crap. It doesn't travel well and can be associated with too many bad things based on it...like the lead up to WW2 and Eugenics, which the Nazis copied into their death camps idea...Eugenics is also an offshoot of studying a person skull to determine their inherited abilities...entirely junk science

Answer 5

Do I care what Ayn Rand thought, would be a better question. The answer is no.

Answer 6

Ayn Rand was an anti-black, anti-gay bigot who cheated on her husband for years. The objectivist philosophy has holes so big in it you could dive a truck through them.

Answer 7

I think Ayn Rand was a Christian Conservative, disguised as an agnostic. I see many similarities between her philosophies and Christianity.

Pragmatic Conservative is what she would be today.

Answer 8

I think it's a matter of defining one's terms.