Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand, Nathaniel Branden, Alan Greenspan, Robert Hessen
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Book Reviews of Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal
Book Review: Capitalism vs Socialism
Summary: 5 Stars
The argument of many reviews below -- that many of Rand's supporters accept all of her ideas like cults accept kool-aid -- is well taken. I have noticed that this is often the case. However, two points of note: (1) The fact that some individuals buy capitalism hook-line-and-sinker wihtout understanding it or giving fair thought to its objections is not, in itself, an argument against a free-market. (2) the same could also be said of those who -- knowingly or unknowingly -- advocate the welfare state.
Although this book is not to be seen as the end-all in the capitalism-socialism debate, it does give sharp points to anyone wishing to defend capitalism. While incorporating some of the arguments presented here, I have soundly demonstrated short-comings in the political position of many of my sparring partners. Many of my opponents -- and Rand discusses this point in detail -- are totally unprepared for a confident, calm, and intelligent thinker prepared to debate laisssez-faire capitalism. Often, when a socialist's first wave of arguments are answered, there follows is a hasty retreat into moral relativism, the impotence of reason, and all other sorts of curious, slippery positions. The debate between capitalism and socialism is no where near as one-sided as many socialists wish to think.
Book Review: Bringing human-rights and economics together
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayn Rand's book is not about religious cultivism - usually the only argument that critics manage to articulate. It is about the missing ideological link between human rights (individual rights) and economics. This book should be regarded as food for thought - claiming that only a free economy can be part of a free society. This is true by definition but Rand is simply one of the few non-technical minds that put it to paper without equations. (That government intervention is restricting our wealth and personal freedom has been proven infinite times before.) Another striking feature is the non-scientific assumption about man's selfish altruism. It was only decades later that her non-scientific assumptions were actually confirmed by the major biologists of our time. It is true that many of her arguments skip scientific explanations - but she is never dangerously far off from our biological and economic understanding of humans. A must read for every open mind. A must read for those who believe in the possibility of doing good for themselves and others at the same time.As a European - I know that 99% of all academics in Europe have never come even close to thinking about similiar ideas. That is restricitng their understanding of the US altogether...
Book Review: A must read for any thinking person.
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read Rand's "The Virtue of Selfishness" in a political philosophy class in college. The book made an impression on me unlike any other book I had read before and a few years after I graduated I decided to reread it. I then read "Philosophy, who needs it" and "Capitalism, the unknown ideal." This set of books is an absolute must read for any thinking person. Be warned, however; if socialism or religion is so deeply ingrained in your mind that nothing can wash it away, you most likely will find yourself giving the book a one star, like many of the reviewers did on this site. If you live in the USA, read these books (especially "Capitalism, the unknown ideal") to find out why you live in the only country ever founded on moral principles. If you live in a socialist (or worst, a Communist) country, read the books to get a better insight of your own government. Finally, as an European who grew up in Europe and came to the USA in his teenage years, I must say that, although I have always sensed and known the huge difference between the European and American mentality, it's Rand who describes it so very eloquently in the last chapter of "Philosophy, who needs it".Book Review: Capitalism is Right
Summary: 5 Stars
I find it strange that a reviewer would post that "Capitalism is Wrong" while typing it on a computer and sending it across an Internet to a website that is built on the back of that "evil" word. Do you see the contradiction?
Those that actually read the book would have grasped the essential statement she made which was that she was not primarily an advocate of Capitalism, but of reason. Capitalism was just the natural conclusion.
In any case, the collection of essays presented here are an excellent example of historical evidence as well as philosophical reasoning behind the idea that Capitalism is the only moral political system in existence.
That may shock many potential buyers of the book, but Rand et al present a series of compelling arguments backed up with historical evidence that spans the nation's history to prove their point: Never, not once in America's history, did free enterprise capitalism ever cause ANY of the economic problems that have plagued this country. From the railroads, to the child labor laws, to antitrust regulations...all were caused by Government regulation and interference in the free market. It is a conclusion that one must read and study to believe.
Book Review: Very well written book about capitalism and democracy
Summary: 5 Stars
Although this book was written many years ago, it rings true for today's issues. The book is made up of multiple (25 or so) mini essays, each about 5-10 pages long.
The book has a clear and logical philosophy that is consistent. Its' basic premise is that pure capitalism is the first and only moral system for man. This is because capitalism equals freedom which frees a man from coercive oppression, and that man can only create wealth and new ideas when free to use his mind. The book states that the US briefly came close to pure capitalism in the 1700 and 1800s, but is now heading to fascism, as the state leaves property in private ownership, but the state controls output and use of the private property.
This book is the best I've read in several years, because it helped me unify my outlook on several fronts (political, economic, legal, social, etc) into one grand, consistent theory. I think this book will appeal to liberals and conservatives alike. Both are damned in this book by Rand, but I think the left, right, and center will recognize parts of Rand's philosophy that are dear to them too.
Read it for yourself to see, the book is cheap.