Five Ways Ayn Rand's 1957 Novel Predicted Our Present Condition

Rand’s vision had flaws. But history has vindicated her dire warnings about politicized corporate-government partnerships oppressing freedom.

By Adam Mill  June 2, 2021

On a recent trip to Colorado, I fired up the Atlas Shrugged audiobook. As I passed a line of train cars sitting empty and idle, noted the high gas prices, and listened to complaints about gas station supplier shortages, it occurred to me that Rand’s 1957 novel made a number of chillingly accurate predictions about our modern Wokestopia (i.e. Woke-dystopia). 

Like many immigrants who escaped communism, Rand knew firsthand the corrosive effect of politicizing the industries that supply and feed our economy. The central plotline of Atlas Shrugged follows the accelerating political corruption of American corporations. Rand painted a picture of a kind of corporate/leftist fascism that feels familiar to us in 2021. Below are some of the predictions that have partially or completely come true.

1. Politicizing industry strangles production........
2. Freedom of speech is an endangered species.............
3. Political corruption will sap our ability to get things done..........
4. “Temporary emergencies” created by bad policies are never temporary............
5. Everything is illegal............

Rand’s vision had flaws. But history has vindicated her dire warnings about politicized corporate/government partnerships oppressing freedom. Central planning of an economy always leads to corruption, inefficiency, and oppression. The historical examples are abundant and consistent as similar tragedies played out in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and now the United States. Yet even after the spectacular collapse of the Soviet empire, pernicious socialism has accelerated from creeping incrementalism to a full-on march.........To Read More....