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Univer% MioOTlms International 300 N. Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 8314761 Gapper, Thomas Heman AMERICAN CONSERVAnVE UTOPIAS The Universily of Oklahoma PH.D. 1983 University Microfilms In te rn S tlO n S l SmX.zeebRoatAnnAAor.MI48106 Copyright 1983 by Clapper, Thomas Heman All Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark V 1. Glossy photographs or pages _____ 2. Colored illustrations, paper or prin t_ 3. Photographs with dark background _ 4. Illustrations are poor copy ______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original copy. 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page_ 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages 329-344 8. Print exceeds margin requirements _____ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine______ 1 u. Computer printout pages with indistinct print, 11. Page(s) _________lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s) ___________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages numbered ___________. Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages ______ 15. O t h e r ______________________________________ University Microfilms International THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UTOPIAS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By THOMAS H. CLAPPER 1983 AI-IERICAN CONSERVATIVE UTOPIAS APPROVED BY DISSERTATION COMMITTEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS While the author alone must bear responsibility for the initial concepts and any error that may appear in this study, the positive attributes are not his alone. He has been assisted by many people whose efforts deserve recognition. Dr. Ronald M. Peters, Jr., insisted on a clear research design, an insistance that greatly clarified the scope of this study. Dr. Rufus Hall, Jr., introduced the author to the works of Henry Hazlitt and suggested The Great Idea as a conservative utopia worth study. Dr. Alexander Holmes brought the perception of a free enterprise economist to the dissertation, sharpening the economic aspects of the study. Dr. John Wood, Dr. Hugh MacNiven, and Dr. Joseph Pray all ably assisted with both helpful suggestions and con­ structive criticism, as well as moral support. George H. Nash suggested Gumption Island as a valid American conservative utopia which resulted in its inclusion in this study. Kenneth Roemer added encouragement by his promotion of utopian studies. Guy Parkhurst gave freely of his opinion on conservative theory, while Donald J. Maletz shared his insights on American neo-conservatism. Finally, Paul Gottfried, an author who has written on iii conservative utopias, provided an empathy that was greater than he realized. On the practical level, Natalie Tyson aptly ful­ filled the committee's suggestion that an editor be obtained. The dissertation's professional typist, Betty Anderson, was ably assisted by Geri Rowden. They are responsible for its production in its final form. Finally, a note of recognition belongs to Dr. John Paul Duncan. This study began its long life as a much shorter term paper for one of his seminars. It was his high opinion of its basic concepts that gave this author the confidence to dare to bring it to the level of a doc­ toral dissertation. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................ i ü PREFACE................................... vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ...................... 1 II. AYN RAND'S ATLAS SHRUGGED..... 68 III. H. L. HUNT'S ALPACA............. 109 IV. FELIX MORLEY'S GUMPTION ISLAND . 151 V. HENRY HAZLITT'S THE GREAT IDEA . 189 VI. C O N C L U S I O N ...................... 228 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................. 293 APPENDIX I; Atlas Shrugged Directive. 326 APPENDIX II; Ayn Rand's Values.........328 APPENDIX III: Constitution of Alpaca. 329 APPENDIX IV: The Constitution of Gumption Island....... 345 APPENDIX V: Letter from Henry Hazlitt . 350 V PREFACE Since the inception of this dissertation, a number of events have taken place that might have affected the outcome of the study had they occurred prior to its beginning. On the political scene, Ronald Reagan was not only nominated by the Republican party but elected President, carrying a Republican Senate into power with him. This placed conservatives in power, making their utopian works less relevant as predictors of the future but still valuable as they track the roots of their programs. In a second development, the study of conserva­ tism and capitalism has accelerated with the publication of a number of volumes too numerous to mention. The reader will note that the bibliography has no citation of any work pub­ lished during the 1980's. This new attention toward the right does not alter the importance of this study but it does blunt its impact. Finally, on a personal level, both Ayn Rand and Felix Morley died within a few weeks of each other in March of 1982. H. L. Hunt had already passed away when this study began. The reaction of these constructive conservatives to the thesis of this dissertation would have been of interest but their numbers are now down to one survivor. VI AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UTOPIAS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION To aim for utopia is to end in disaster. Russell Kirk, "The Conserva­ tive Cast of American Society" Question "What would be the characteristics of a contemporary American conservative utopia?" This study seeks to answer that question by investigating the conser­ vative vision of a better world. For all the activity of the American political right in obtaining political power, there is little to indicate what its members might do should it prevail. One does not hear of many conservative utopias. Most conservatives would recoil in shock at the concept of their having a utopia. Some would even deny the existence of a conservative ideology. Traditionally, they have been bitter enemies toward the temptation of a perfect society. There are those who even argue that the reason the right can have no ideology is that an ideology might lead to utopian speculation. Many a conservative author and scores of scholars have presented arguments against such conjectures. These objections are the armor the conserva­ tive uses to fend off the lure of utopia.^ Objections 1. The conservatives' primary objection to uto­ pian thought is based on theology - -the belief in original sin or its secular counterpart/ man's inherent weakness and depravity. Given man's imperfect and immutable nature, uto­ pias are doomed to failure. One cannot build a perfect society with imperfect people, nor can a utopian environment alter the nature of the corrupt. Human nature, the conser­ vative holds, contradicts any utopian world. Since man is not suited for perfection and cannot be changed by his envi­ ronment, utopias and utopian thought are excluded from the realm of conservative ideology. The conservative thus views utopia as an impossible dream if based on the perfectible 2 or benevolent nature of man. 2. The belief that man knows more than the Creator and should plan his own destiny ranks as a second theological objection from the right. Utopia is seen as a sin; it would seek to replace God as the Divine Architect. In nonreligious terms, either the Unseen Hand of capitalism or forces of na­ tural selection play the same role. Let God/Nature/Fate take its course. To plan for the future is foolish and dangerous, and attempts to improve upon the designs of the Almighty or other powers are doomed. Such transgression led Adam to be expelled from Eden; Prometheus suffered the same kind of fate in Greek mythology. Utopia, unless of the re­ ligious variety, makes God unnecessary because in the per­ fect state created by man, man is God.^ 3.