Role of Furies in preventing Roosevelt's reign turning into an oligarchy

The Great Depression of 1930 was a global economic downturn that began in the United States. This event is accompanied by many intriguing stories. In addition to its causes and consequences, one notable aspect is that Franklin D. Roosevelt was the longest-serving president in U.S. history. Opinions vary regarding the effectiveness of his presidency during the Great Depression.

The Freedom Furies expressed concern that Roosevelt's administration could lead to an oligarchy, undermining the foundations of a free society. Ayn Rand, Isabel Paterson, and Rose Wilder Lane confronted Roosevelt’s policies by criticizing his restrictions on individual freedom, his approach to the market economy, and the excessive government intervention in both the economy and politics through their writings and campaigns.       

Roosevelt is remembered in history as both a hero and a villain. He is known for his short-term measures and policies aimed at averting socioeconomic and political crises during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In response to the Great Depression, he implemented the New Deal. Roosevelt's intervention in the economy and his successive terms as president alarmed proponents of laissez-faire capitalism, democracy, free-market economics, and individual liberty. In May 1941, he announced a new, “unlimited” national emergency that expanded his powers even further. During this time, he established the Office of Censorship, created propaganda agencies, initiated wiretaps, and oversaw government-instigated prosecutions.

Philosophers are often visionary and think ahead to the future. Many Americans began to trust Roosevelt unconditionally. He gained this trust through short-term, government-aided relief programs. People neglected to recognize that his continuation in office could pose significant challenges for the future of the United States. Throughout Roosevelt's extended presidency, critics sensed a shift from democracy toward oligarchy.

In 1943, after years of diligent work, thinkers such as Rand, Paterson, and Lane published books that articulated a vision of individual freedom that had been under attack for over a decade. Their writings primarily focused on themes of individual liberty, market economies, free societies, and capitalism, opposing the centralized economies represented by Roosevelt's policies.

In recent times, Donald Trump has been viewed as a threat to democracy in the United States. He is facing numerous criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election. During his recent rallies for the 2024 election, Trump warned that democracy in the U.S. could come to an end if he does not win.

In these critical times, America needs visionary thinkers who can analyze the motives and consequences of Trump's actions on the future of the free world. Like the Furies of ancient lore, philosophers and libertarians recognize the dangers posed by leaders like Trump and take necessary measures to defend freedom, liberty, a free economy, and democracy. The efforts of figures such as Ayn Rand, John Galt, and other libertarian thinkers during the Great Depression provide guiding principles for understanding the strategies and practices employed by oligarchs like Trump.

Safeguarding individual freedom, a market economy, and capitalism has become more important than ever. In today's tumultuous world, where the rise of socialism and threats to capitalism seem to increase daily, it is essential to philosophically defend the principles of the free market, individual liberty, and capitalism. The Furies defended against the encroachments on democracy and capitalism during President Roosevelt's administration. It is crucial to confront figures like Donald Trump, as the restoration of individual freedom requires a deep philosophical understanding of the core values of libertarianism.

The Furies believe that a free society allows individuals to make choices based on their circumstances and that capitalism enables them to acquire and allocate resources in ways that best meet their needs. Oligarchies, on the other hand, make individuals subservient to others, deprive them of access to knowledge, and divert their resources to serve the interests of the ruling class rather than their own.

Crisis often brings out the best in people. The Great Depression marked a new beginning for America. Roosevelt aimed to transform his presidency into an oligarchy, ultimately becoming the longest-serving president in American history. If not for the efforts of philosophers like Rand, Lane, and Paterson, who championed individual freedom, democracy, and a free market, America might have faced a shift toward socialism. Today, American capitalism faces both internal and external threats. It is essential to engage in philosophical discourse and debate to defend the free market and capitalism, particularly in the United States.