Ayn Rand (1905-82)

Key text: Atlas Shrugged (1957)

Human Nature

-individualistic and objectivist: we should be guided by rational self-interest and self-fulfilment not focused on anybody else

-Judaeo-Christian morality (homosexuality ‘disgusting’)

-atomism

Society

-Society barely exists if it does it is atomistic

-any attempt to restrict individuals in the name of society should be challenged

-Right to choose in everything we do

-anti-permissive however she was pro abortion and wasn’t against gay rights but she called them disgusting

State

-Should confine itself to law, order and national security

-Shouldn’t attempt positive liberty

The economy

-Free market capitalism is an expression of objectivist individualism and should not be hindered by the state