Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal

Last modified: November 2, 1994

Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal (1966) contains essays in politics and economics by Rand and other Objectivist authors. Of particular interest are "What is Capitalism?," in which Rand argues that capitalism is the only moral social-political system; "The Roots of War"; "Gold and Economic Freedom," a defense of the gold standard by Alan Greenspan; and "Conservatism: An Obituary," Rand's critique of the conservative movement.

Table of Contents

All essays are by Rand unless otherwise noted.

• Theory and History
  1. What is Capitalism?
  2. The Roots of War
  3. America's Persecuted Minority: Big Business
  4. Antitrust, by Alan Greenspan
  5. Common Fallacies About Capitalism, by Nathaniel Branden
  6. Gold and Economic Freedom, by Alan Greenspan
  7. Notes on the History of American Free Enterprise
  8. The Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Women and Children, by Robert Hessen
  9. The Assault on Integrity, by Alan Greenspan
  10. The Property Status of Airwaves
  11. Patents and Copyrights
  12. Theory and Practice
  13. Let Us Alone!
• Current State
  1. The Anatomy of Compromise
  2. Is Atlas Shrugging?
  3. The Pull Peddlers
  4. "Extremism," or The Art of Smearing
  5. The Obliteration of Capitalism
  6. Conservatism: An Obituary
  7. The New Fascism: The Rule by Consensus
  8. The Wreckage of the Consensus
  9. The Cashing-in: The Student Rebellion
  10. Alienation, by Nathaniel Branden
  11. Requiem for Man
• Appendix
  1. Man's Rights
  2. The Nature of Government