“Since early men ignited the first fires in caves,” wrote Edward Hudgins, “the unleashing of energy for light, heat, cooking, and every human need has been the essence and symbol of what it is to be human.” The primary role of energy was also developed by Ayn Rand in her major novel, Atlas Shrugged. In this presentation, Robert L. Bradley, Jr. will develop the theme of energy as the master resource, describe Rand’s use of energy in Atlas Shrugged, and discuss the today’s philosophical and political battle between free-market energy and statist energy.
Robert L. Bradley Jr. is founder and chairman of the Institute for Energy Research. He is a nationally recognized free market scholar and author of six books relating to energy, including, most recently, Capitalism at Work: Business, Government, and Energy (M & M Scrivener Press). He holds a B.A. and M.A. in economics and a Ph.D. in political economy.