Objectivism In Anthem, By Ayn Rand

Imagine a world in which Altruistic philosophy took over the American public. Each citizen would help everyone in need instead of improving the quality of America by working towards a better economy. According to Ayn Rand, objectivism influences one to follow their own will by partaking in an activity that makes one feel happiness. She believes that helping others simply does not fulfill a human’s hunger for joy. Rand emulates the ideas of objectivism in Anthem: “It is in We the Living that the moral code of objectivism is presented: If one's survival depends on one's own mind, then to claim another's mind is to claim another's life. The only moral course of action is to support one's own life by one's own mind—to live for one's own sake—and

to allow others to do the same” (Gould). Growing up in Stalinist Russia, Rand exposed herself to an era in which people followed others because of their “immense power.” Finding herself sickened by this, Rand fled from Russia to America, and soon began to collectively form an idea that would soon lead to the objectivism philosophy. In agreement with Ayn Rand, the author of Anthem, switching America to follow objectivism would benefit the American government to execute the goal of working on the state of America’s economy, strive to control the people of their country, and regulate modern-day politics.
Objectivism may very well help the American government take control of economic deflation that previously damaged hard working citizens. Equality from Anthem states: “ But I am done with this creed of corruption. I am done with the monster of “We”, the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame” (97; ch. 12). The downfall of Russia proves how Marxism, or in similarity, collectivism will have the same effects on America if the government ever decided to dump our system of democracy. Witalec explains: “In essence, Marxists believe that a work of literature is not a result of divine inspiration are pure artistic endeavor, but that it arises out of the economic and ideological circumstances surrounding its creation.” The given quotation explains how practices like collectivism can be very inclusive and ideological. Furthermore, America would simply lose the economy that consumers have built over the years. While portraying selfless behavior may be a great character trait to have, too much will drag America’s economy and morale down. It is important to have competition and a goal to fight for. Equality explains his thoughts on his life after the World Council: “We could also rise, or run, or leap, or fall down again. We were thinking that these were thoughts without sense, but before we knew it our body had risen in one leap” (78; ch. 8). The drive in competition will motivate American citizens to work harder at work and help more in their communities. To further a previous point, Equality realized that after he left the society that promoted collectivism, he found himself to feel more powerful and enlightened than ever before.
Along with the economic benefit, the American government could also achieve the goal of getting more control over the American people.

However, this is not an idea that promotes a dictatorship, but an opportunity to control more over what occurs inside American borders. Equality speaks his last words in the novella: “For The coming of the day shall I fight, I am my sons and my children friends. For the freedom of man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor” (104; ch. 12). The previous quotation allows the reader to understand how Equality gained control over his life in the end of the novella. In resemblance to Equality, the American government and citizens themselves can achieve the same kind of control. Following objectivism would allow every American citizen to gain control of their futures, as well as their mental states. In the midst of escaping his life, Equality finally finds the forbidden word in which he wishes to say: “I am. I think. I will.… This earth of mine… What must I say besides? These are the words. This is the answer” (94; ch. 11). Executing the objectivism philosophy into one’s life will open up their eyes much like how Equality enables himself near the end of the novella. Ayn Rand especially implements these values into her life by publicly speaking about the benefits of choosing to follow

objectivism.
One of the final perks of objectivism enables the people of America to properly regulate modern politics.

Understanding his purpose Equality exclaims: “I understood that centuries of chains and lashes will not kill the spirit of man nor the sense of truth within him” (98; ch. 12). By enforcing objectivism into politics, the politicians of America can help create a better country for its citizens. Many people would be able to offer extremely effective advice to American officials that could make everyone in America ecstatic about the progress of the country. After Liberty and Equality flee collectivism, Equality tells himself how he chooses to live his life: “The fortune of my spirit is not to be blown into coins of brass and flung to the wins as alms for the poor of the Spirit. I guard my treasures: my thought, my will, my freedom. And the greatest of these is freedom” (95-96; ch. 11). With the gift of understanding comes the gift of freedom. Through objectivism, people and politicians could be free with their thoughts. If the government continued to allow citizens to freely voice their opinions while following objectivism, America could become a better place for all of its citizens to live

in.
In conclusion of the idea of including objectivism into American politics, the closing message tells one that objectivism can greatly impact the lives of many Americans. The economy and well being of America can introduce itself to a philosophy in which competition and selfishness improves one’s health. The spike in competition always succeeds in the goal of impacting the morale of a person. With this, Americans across the world have the potential and enough influence to become more than just a citizen. Empowered civilians will find themselves in a position in which they can control their own destiny, and change the philosophies that hold modern-day Americans back from achieving the American dream.