Ayn Rand on America: "You are moving toward disaster." | Mike Wallace Interview (Part 2) 1959

In this fascinating interview, a young Mike Wallace interviews Ayn Rand, author of Atlas Shrugged and the Fountainhead. Ayn Rand is questioned on the philosophy she founded: Objectivism. Specifically he explores how Rand's philosophy translates into politics. Wallace asks Ayn Rand for her opinion on political trends in the U.S. and Western world. She states that the world is moving towards "disaster" and "destruction" and "complete collectivism" or "socialism." This she ties to the implementation of the welfare state and its undermining of individual rights. The welfare state is leading us toward a society where "everyone is enslaved to everyone else" she states.

Wallace counters that this system came about democratically. Does Ayn Rand oppose that democratic process? Rand explains that the majority may not vote away inalienable rights: it may not vote away the property, life, or freedom of others. Individual rights are a limit on what the majority may do politically. How then should we move forward? Rand says, by "voluntary cooperation," "voluntary action," free from force.

This interview will be of interest to Tea Party activists and libertarians of all stripes, as well as those seeking a quick explanation of Ayn Rand's political views.


Today, The Atlas Society promotes and further develops this philosophy of Objectivism.

Learn more about Atlas Shrugged here:
http://www.atlassociety.org/atlas-shr...

Learn more about Objectivism here:
http://www.atlassociety.org/objectivism

Learn more about Ayn Rand here:
http://www.atlassociety.org/ayn-rand

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