Mean Girl: Ayn Rand and the Culture of Greed

Mean Girl: Ayn Rand and the Culture of Greed (American Studies Now: Critical Histories of the Present Book 8) by Lisa Duggan

With a title like "Mean Girl", it is obvious that this is not a lauditory account of Rand's life. It comes from a left-wing view that views Rand as attractive to greedy right-wingers. It is neither a biography of Rand, nor a history of objectivist philosophy, but explores the philosophy in the context of her life. She was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States to work in Hollywood. She saw communism and other collectivist activities as an impediment to individuality and growth. Her writings have been attractive to very contradictory groups. Her sexual views are attractive to queers. The religious-right aligns with her critiques of government intervention. Trump seems to be one of the "villains" in Rand's book, yet admires her pro-business stance. Rand has inspired many that would probably be repugnant to Rand herself. That itself can be a sign of the power of her ideas.