Atlas Shrugged: Part One

Hello!

I've been reading 'Atlas Shrugged', which is a beast of a text and viewed as the core text of the political theory of Objectivism. As the book is a gargantuan rambling beast I've divided this into multiple posts. First, what is 'Atlas Shrugged'?

 

Rand called it a romantic mystery, but really she outlines what she believes should be the core constructs of society, basing good (capitalism) versus evil (those who do not produce). It seems very black and white for Rand with no in between.

To Wikipedia!




The book depicts a dystopian United States, wherein many of society's most prominent and successful industrialists abandon their fortunes and the nation itself, in response to aggressive new regulations, whereupon most vital industries collapse. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Atlas_Shrugged

Why 'Atlas Shrugged'?


The title is a reference to Atlas, a Titan described in the novel as "the giant who holds the world on his shoulders". The significance of this reference appears in a conversation between the characters Francisco d'Anconia and Hank Rearden, in which d'Anconia asks Rearden what advice he would give Atlas upon seeing that "the greater [the titan's] effort, the heavier the world bore down on his shoulders". With Rearden unable to answer, d'Anconia gives his own response: "To shrug".

 But why is this part of the backlog?

'Atlas Shrugged' is one of the most recommended fiction books from Entrepreneur on Fire. From reading it, it is clear why. The book talks about the power of the individual in business and the impact they can have in the world. The power of the individual against the world and what impact it can create, and Rand's world is incompetent, angry, boorish and cheap, draining the life from everyone who dares to dream.

The book has had a recurring influence on culture and within politics, with deconstructions and references throughout. What did I make of it? Find out soon!

Thanks for reading!
AT