Ayn Rand’s fifty-two year old novel, Atlas Shrugged (Plume 1957), is receiving renewed interest. The fictional premise of the novel resonates with today’s readers because of plot lines that could be taking place today.
Atlas Shrugged – The Government
Rand’s story is of powerful men in Washington making laws with the premise of “for the good of the people” and against free enterprise.
Crippling laws are enacted such as the “Equalization of Opportunity Bill” where production for some of the more profitable manufacturers was severely limited by the government so that others working less have a chance to be competitive.
Somewhat like the housing problem of today. Mortgage were made available to people that did not have a down payment and did not make enough money for the monthly payments.
When the bubble burst, those that worked hard to save and work their way into higher paying jobs so that they could afford the monthly payments as well as maintain the home, has to now pay for those did not work as hard.
Property ownership in the book is really non-existent. Rand’s Government believes that “When the masses are destitute and yet there are goods available, it is idiotic to expect people to be stopped by some scrap of paper called a property deed. One holds property only by the courtesy of those who do not seize it. The people can seize it at any moment.”
The “New Social Conscience” sets other laws such as the “Preservation of Livelihood Law”, “The Fair Share Law”, the “Public Stability Law”, and the “Directive #10-289.”
Big Business
Taggart Transcontinental Railroad and Reardon Metal are the two of the main companies in the story that are still owned by individuals.
The railroad is run by a brother and sister team – the brother is for the socialist platform and the sister is for free enterprise and for profits.
Reardon Metal is run by one man, Hank Reardon, and produces a miracle metal that outlasts steel.
Media Biases
The media is controlled by the powerful men in Washington. Only the news they want the people to see gets reported.
Catastrophes are completely ignored by the media in efforts to control of the country. Sensationalism is rampant.
The Winner
The beginning of the book tells readers the muted state of affairs. As the book progresses so do the troubles resulting from too much government intervention and control. While the wealth (what’s left of it) is divided and spread, the political power is not.
Then the country collapses as does the power of the men of Washington. The two business leaders lose everything including their drive to keep trying.
In the end, those with the unending desire to create, invent, develop, and implement businesses and industries on a free enterprise platform do survive, though it will surprise readers how they do it.
A Book of The Times
Interest in this book has sparked again because it carries a message of what can happen when free enterprise and the freedoms those in the United States are privileged to live by are threatened.
The story mirrors what many feel is happening in today’s political and economic worlds. While the book has well over 1,000 pages in the paperback edition, the writing and the various plots make for a fast and exciting read.
A few words of warning, it is difficult at times to remember that one is reading a fictional story and not one of today’s headlines.
Read about Atlas Shrugged: Ayn Rand's Greatest Novel here.
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