The Leadership Program of the Rockies curriculum is designed to develop, strengthen, train, and equip emerging leaders “ that is, to integrate ideology and action. It provides an opportunity to rediscover the principles of America's Founders. These principles established the framework for a socio-economic system that came to be known as Capitalism which arguably does not exist in practice today. Because these principles, the base of our freedom and prosperity, are constantly being eroded, it's crucial that future leaders have an understanding of Capitalism and learn its intellectual, historical and moral defense.
We will be studying the works of two of the greatest defenders of Capitalism:
• Free to Choose by Milton & Rose Friedman
• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
And we will be pondering the answers to such questions as:
• What is the relationship between economic freedom and political freedom?
• What exactly is Capitalism and why is it disappearing?
• Who is John Galt?
• What were the true causes and consequences of the Great Depression?
• How did the 'Cradle to Grave' welfare state take over the land of the free?
• What does it mean to say the words 'to make money hold the essence of human morality'?
• How do we apply principles of Capitalism to today's pressing problems? (Katrina Victims, SS/Tax/Education Reform, Supreme Court Nominees, War/Foreign Policy, etc, etc.)
How do these two thinkers, one an eminent libertarian economist, the other a radical philosopher/novelist, defend capitalism? Where do they agree and where do they differ?
• Schedule & Reading Pacing
• Additional Recommended Reading