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WHO IS JOHN GALT? 1957–1968
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the satisfaction of economic wants as the dominant mission of society.” 13
This idea was anathema to conservatives because it could provide a justifi
cation for altering the outcomes of market capitalism. Conservatives
instead wanted to shift emphasis to the more abstract, “spiritual” side
of human nature. Although she was an atheist, Rand’s ideas followed
the same dynamic, for she too was untroubled by the idea of “economic
wants” going unsatisfi ed. Indeed, Rand understood society as simply a
function of its dominant ideas.
Rand’s essay on the New Left did, however, come back to earth long
enough to urge clear-headed action against the philosophically misguided.
She told readers, “The fi rst step is to make oneself heard, on
the campus and outside. There are many civilized ways to do it: protest
meetings, speeches, pamphlets, letters-to-editors.” The key was that
students must “fi ght intellectually, on moral-intellectual grounds,” since
“ideas cannot be fought except by means of better ideas.” 14 She encouraged
“civilized” protest to highlight the violent and coercive nature of
the protestors. Her followers threw themselves eagerly into the campus
fray. Columbia University, a hotbed of left protest, was also home to one
of the most dedicated Objectivist organizations, the Committee for the
Defense of Property Rights. A photo in the Columbia Owl captured well
the Objectivists’ mission: two serious young men with neat hair, shaven
faces, ties, and overcoats stand proudly over a chair with a large banner
declaring “Abolish SDS.” 15
The antiwar protests were the perfect chance for Objectivists to practice
what they preached, and they eagerly presented themselves as a lone
outpost of order and rationality in a sea of mysticism and irrationality.
For all Rand’s criticism of American universities, student Objectivists
were still eager to defend the university’s academic mission. A student
at Washington University wrote, “The students and faculty are here on
a voluntary contractual basis to learn and teach (or engage in research),
respectively. We are not here to run the university.” 16 The Committee
for Defense of Property Rights claimed it was formed “to work for the
nonviolent atmosphere which scholarly progress requires” and warned
that Columbia, “a center of learning,” was endangered by “a handful
of drugged, bearded Brown Shirts.” 17 Objectivist protestors revealed
their essential orientation toward studying, learning, and personal
advancement. Objectivists were excited by ideas, not political programs
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