Capitalism In Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

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In the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, capitalism is shown as a social, economic and political system that can be used to enhance or destroy businesses and that can be abused by looters or business owners. Socially by the relationship created between the looters and business owners. Economically by business owners being allowed to make as much profit as they can as long as they follow all the rules and regulations created by the looters. Politically by the system’s ability to be twisted into one that is distorted to work against whoever need be, people in power used this for their benefit. Rand presented this definition to emphasize the destruction of core ideals behind capitalism through various examples within her novel without her characters …show more content…
Although in chapter seven when the Legislature passes the Equalization of Opportunity bill that revokes Rearden’s ability to operate other businesses apart of his operation, they are using their power to implement rules and regulations that will force one business to fail while another succeeds purposefully. Instead of Rearden realize what is happening to the ideals of capitalism, he only looks past it and calls Dagny to tell her about a new bridge development idea.

When a business goals is becoming more difficult to reach, the owner may want to gain profit using any needs necessary. This is shown when Rearden had to obtain his ore from “ruffian gangs” (288), driving him into doing black market deals. While capitalism is suppose to give people enough freedom to continue their business legally, too many rules and regulations may force people to gain profits …show more content…
Just as a homeless man in the diner pointed out that they “...go through life looking for beauty, for greatness, for some sublime achievement, and what do you find? A lot of trick machinery for making upholstered cars ...” (168) When capitalism is changed human spirits are disregarded, all that is given is people who do not know “who is John Galt.”(168) They are only consumed by competition and hatred, tricking themselves into believing that they like others for their personalities. Shown when Jim and Cheryl began to pursue a relationship, only to talk about business people. When Jim discredited the motive behind the people who built buildings in New York City he said, that the person “didn't do it for any noble purpose, he did it just for his own profit. He's never done anything for any other reason." (246). But yet, Cheryl still seemed to adore the creator, not realizing that she actually adored his accomplishments rather than his motives or personality. It exemplifies how impersonal distorted capitalism can make a relationship.

The ones that do use capitalism to create businesses have to take on the burden of the ones that do not. When the general understanding is “when you hire a man for a job, it is his need that counts, not his ability”(138) people feed on the guilt of the ones that do and abusing them and ideals
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