Another interesting parallel is Mogadishu.
Although there are problems, Mogadishu has somewhat recovered economically. The free trade in the absence of a government means there are no taxes and doing business is relatively cheap. Businessmen hire security to deal with gunmen and violence is becoming less common.
Frankly, my idea of "utopia" isn't some kind of "peaceful" free market imposed by the private armies of feuding warlords.
And as long as we're looking for real life examples, Pablo Escobar would be another capitalistic "hero" of the Randian atheists. At the height of his empire, Escobar was estimated by Forbes magazine to be the seventh-richest man in the world, with his Medellín Cartel controlling 80 percent of the world's cocaine market. And his "objectivism" carefully crafted a Robin-Hood image among the peasantry so that he could derive his just powers from the consent of the governed. Yes, ol' Pablo was highly successful until the federal regulators stepped in.
IMHO, the economic darwinism that's worshipped by the Rand cultists is a vicious extremism that should be avoided.
You've got me thinking on that one. Good post.
Shame on you for even trying that tired old line. I normally have a great deal of respect for you Willie, but you've really got your head lodged in your posterior with that statement.
Warlords imposing their will on the helpless population is in what way "peaceful"? How is using force to coerce people part of objectivism in any way? Same goes for Pablo. How many people has he ordered killed? How much rape, torture, theft, and dirty dealings has he presided over? This is objectivist how again?
Stop it... before you embarass yourself further.