Published by the Ayn Rand Institute, In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance, is an Objectivist look at economics written by ARI chairman Yaron Brook and director of education at the Center for Industrial Progress, Don Watkins. The book presents the world of finance in terms of morality, and questions the leftist notion that those who are pursuing wealth are doing a disservice to their fellow citizens.
Though the subject matter is a bit dry, Brook and Watkins do a decent job of presenting their case that pursuing wealth is not immoral and, in fact, can be beneficial to the economy.
The authors target former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders specifically for criticism over his railing against the “super rich.” They also call out Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s constant painting of Wall Street bankers and financiers as corrupt institutions. They work to debunk many of the charges made by the far left at those who are moving up the economic ladder.
Besides the main content of the book, it also contains short essays by contributors that dispel myths created by the Left to demonize business executives and their allies.
As Brooks points out in an interview at the end of the book, “Why is the stock market important? One indication that it is important is the fact that you will not find a developed economy without a wealthy, thriving stock market.”
Brook truly has done his research. Besides serving as ARI chairman, he also hosts The Yaron Brook Show on TheBlaze radio network. Watkins, likewise, has an impressive resume. He is the author of several books including RooseveltCare: How Social Security Is Sabotaging the Land of Self-Reliance. Watkins and Brooks have partnered to write several books in the past including the national best-seller, Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government and Equal Is Unfair: America’s Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality.