Introduction

Today’s political and cultural climate is more anti-business than ever—and most businessmen cannot understand why. Despite the widely touted economic benefits of free markets, the government continues to expand its control over the economy, with recent regulatory offensives in financial services, health care, corporate governance and international trade. Despite billions spent by businesses on “corporate image”—on community service projects, charitable contributions and slick PR campaigns—businessmen are portrayed as villains and blamed for every problem from political corruption to declining moral standards to Third World poverty to American obesity.

Is there any way to fight these trends effectively? Yes! But only by understanding the root cause of today’s anti-business climate: the anti-business moral ideas that pervade our culture. And only by understanding the antidote to these ideas: the morality of rational self-interest.

The power of moral ideas—both to help businessmen defend themselves and to become more effective leaders—is at the core of ARC’s efforts to provide courses and seminars for businessmen.

ARC’s Leadership Development Program

The Ayn Rand Center offers a leadership development program for business executives. The senior executive and management training program, based on Objectivism, was developed in 2003. The explicit purpose of the program is to show how the ideas of Objectivism can provide the basis for success in business. The program—which can be customized to our clients’ needs—is offered to corporations in America and around the world.

In this program, attendees will explore:

• How the right moral ideas can provide a powerful, integrated vision for a business, a vision that will guide and inspire both executives and employees.

• How anti-business philosophies underlie America’s hostility toward business—including government policy on issues such as corporate governance, accounting legislation and antitrust law.

• The morality of rational self-interest, and how it alone can provide a moral foundation for business and capitalism.

• Why most of the attempts by businessmen to defend themselves are, in fact, self-destructive.

• How spreading the right ideas can and will lead to the establishment of a truly free, pro-business society—one in which American businessmen are celebrated as heroes.

Read an interview about the program

View a sample syllabus

For more information, write to courses@aynrandcenter.org