I am struck by John's position of authority among this group. Everyone is an individual firmly in control of their own actions and destiny... as long as John gives his “ok” first. John even has veto powers.
I am fairly certain (from having read a nonfiction book about Rand many years ago) that Rand ran her group of intellectuals the same way... they were all free to think anything they wanted... as long as it met her approval.
I find that hypocritical in Galt’s Gulch as well as in Ayn's living room in Palm Springs. But John's dominance explains why Dagney can so easily dump Francisco and Hank. It also gives insight into Rand's ego.
I joke about my ego with my liberal friends... often saying something like “Things would be a lot better if everyone just did what *I* tell them too.” I'm usually making fun of their all too serious attempts to force their thinking on everyone else. I argue that the attempt to “force” one’s thinking on another is the base of the problems with our society today. Too many people trying to force their views on everyone else.
Last week we talked about the need for rules in the Gulch and perhaps John's dominance is Rand's way of providing that structure, but it seems flawed to me.
There always needs to be a leader. I do believe they just "emerge", come "naturally". John fits that bill, IMHO.
Perhaps John, as both owner of the valley and, demonstrably, the rightful leader of the group by virtue of his melding of the philosopher and the man of action, one who could translate academic principles into action, was perceived to have the innate right to be in a sense paterfamilias of their little family?
Moreover, I don't think Rand meant to imply that John necessarily needed give his 'okay' to everyone's actions, or had the unchallenged power to forbid them. Witness Ragnar - it's made clear that John strongly disapproves of Ragnar's chosen means of waging battle, but he does not forbid Ragnar from following his own Muse. When John makes executive decisions, as it were, my recollection (and it's been four years or so since I last re-read AS, so please forgive if I am wrong), he does so either at the request, or with the consent, of the people concerned.
I may have to re-read AS again soon - seems as though world events are quickly emulating this prescient novel! 0 might well be using AS as his blueprint. Perhaps we should have a thread about who in his administration most closely resembles which Randian character?