Objectivists are not “conservatives.” We are radicals for capitalism; we
are fighting for that philosophical base which capitalism did not have and
without which it was doomed to perish . . .
Politics is based on three other philosophical disciplines: metaphysics,
epistemology and ethics—on a theory of man’s nature and of man’s relationship
to existence. It is only on such a base that one can formulate a consistent
political theory and achieve it in practice. When, however, men attempt to rush
into politics without such a base, the result is that embarrassing
conglomeration of impotence, futility, inconsistency and superficiality which
is loosely designated today as “conservatism.” . . .
Today’s culture is dominated by the philosophy of mysticism
(irrationalism)—altruism—collectivism, the base from which only statism can
be derived; the statists (of any brand: communist, fascist or welfare) are
merely cashing in on it—while the “conservatives” are scurrying to ride on the
enemy’s premises and, somehow, to achieve political freedom by stealth. It
can’t be done.