Bush the Conservative p. 14
Created by Ayn Rand, Objectivism sought to create a system of belief based on stripping away emotions and evaluating man’s actions objectively, using self-interest as the primary means of evaluation (Rand, et. al.; 1999). For this philosophy, taxation is seen as an initiation of force because government compels compliance (Rand, 1989). Money is seen as inherently belonging to those who hold it and thus taxation is a usurpation of property rights (Rand, 1986).
The repeated statement of “your money” in relation to taxes certainly fits with Rand’s Objectivist view of economics. It is a distillation of a fairly eloquent body of literature into its lowest common denominator. Whether or not the crowds listening to the President are familiar with Rand’s theories or the body of literature supporters have built is irrelevant. The President uses rhetoric in keeping with it, it resonates with the crowds, and it is directly tied to Objectivist philosophy. This is, in fact, exactly the bridge that this paper searches for.
What remains to be seen is if this theoretical grounding can be adequately tied to the President’s direct ideological appeal used before elite audiences. It has already been noted that the President mixes vague economic facts (such as “signs of recession”) with statements of economic theory (the “best” way to proceed is through “tax relief”). The first step in doing this is to nail down what economic theories the President is using.
Go on to Page 15
The repeated statement of “your money” in relation to taxes certainly fits with Rand’s Objectivist view of economics. It is a distillation of a fairly eloquent body of literature into its lowest common denominator. Whether or not the crowds listening to the President are familiar with Rand’s theories or the body of literature supporters have built is irrelevant. The President uses rhetoric in keeping with it, it resonates with the crowds, and it is directly tied to Objectivist philosophy. This is, in fact, exactly the bridge that this paper searches for.
What remains to be seen is if this theoretical grounding can be adequately tied to the President’s direct ideological appeal used before elite audiences. It has already been noted that the President mixes vague economic facts (such as “signs of recession”) with statements of economic theory (the “best” way to proceed is through “tax relief”). The first step in doing this is to nail down what economic theories the President is using.
Go on to Page 15
© 2004 by Xpatriated Texan
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