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A Nation's Unity

Ayn Rand

Presented at: FHF 1972 A Nation's Unity

Date: Oct 22, 1972

“National unity” is a bromide often trumpeted by politicians. In this lecture, Ayn Rand analyzes the preconditions of national unity. Can men peacefully coexist under any terms — or are certain principles of human association necessary? Rand’s answers are given through an extended analysis of George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign. Calling upon voters to defeat McGovern’s statist agenda, she explains why a nation can remain peacefully unified only if each individual’s right to pursue his own happiness is protected against infringement.

In the Q&A period, the audience at Boston’s Ford Hall Forum elicit answers from Rand on a variety of topics including the nature of altruism, the value of political involvement, the Libertarian Party, free will, sports and games, amnesty for draft dodgers, social order in Galt’s Gulch, editing the Declaration of Independence, common law, William F. Buckley Jr., nuclear weapons, and Rand’s proudest achievement.

politicscurrent eventsculture

Parts: 1

Handout: none

About This Presentation

Publications:

  • Online, 2014 (En) - 58 mins - Soundcloud audio
  • Online, 2018 (En) - Text
  • Print, 1972 (En) - The Ayn Rand Letter, October 9-November 6, 1972.
  • Campus, 2018 (En) - 112 mins
  • e-Store, 2018 (En) - 111 mins - Free MP3 download
  • Online, 2018 (En) - 112 mins - Audio with download
  • YouTube, 2020 (En) - 112 mins
  • Online, 1972 (En) - 91 mins - New England Public Radio broadcast recording from American Archive of Public Broadcasting