Capitalism
and
Objectivism

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What is Capitalism

Capitalism, properly understood, is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, where all property is privately owned.

It is not a system of government intervention or corporate favoritism.

It is the only system that leaves people free to act on their rational judgment, to produce, to trade voluntarily — and to keep the fruits of their labor.

> Capitalism is not just an economic system. It is the practical expression of a moral principle: that your life belongs to you.

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Why Objectivism defends Capitalism

Objectivism does not defend capitalism on the grounds of tradition, religion, or economic utility. It defends it because:

Man is a rational being, who must think and act to survive.

Freedom is the political condition required for reason to operate.

Capitalism is the only system that recognizes this reality.

In Ayn Rand’s words:

> “Capitalism is the only system that can make freedom, reason, justice, and progress possible.”

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Morality of Self-Interest

Objectivism is a philosophy of rational self-interest. In a capitalist society:

You are free to pursue your values.

You trade value for value, by mutual consent.

No one may initiate force against you.

This is not “greed” — it’s the morality of being a thinking, productive individual, living by your own effort.

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What capitalism is not

To clarify:

❌ Capitalism is not cronyism or corporatism.

❌ It is not about exploiting others.

❌ It is not a “necessary evil.”

Capitalism is the only just system because it treats individuals as ends in themselves, not as means to others’ goals.

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Historical proof

Whenever capitalism has approached full implementation:

✅Innovation exploded.

✅Poverty plummeted.

✅Human dignity rose.

The briefest experiments in economic freedom have done more for human well-being than centuries of state control.

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Capitalism Needs a Moral Revolution

To fully achieve capitalism, we must reject altruism as a moral ideal.

As long as sacrifice is seen as virtue, freedom will be compromised.

Objectivism calls for a new moral code: One that celebrates achievement, independence, and the sovereign individual.

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Want to go deeper?

Discover how Objectivism redefines ethics, reason and freedom