Alain Guillot

Life, Leadership, and Money Matters

Why Ayn Rand’s Vision of Capitalism and Meritocracy Represents America’s Future

Why Ayn Rand’s Vision of Capitalism and Meritocracy Represents America’s Future

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DEI is OUT, meritocracy is IN.

Meritocracy is the idea that people should advance based on ability and achievement rather than privilege, status, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

There are many groups that hate meritocracy, for example:

  • Unions: Unions believe in seniority, not on merit.
  • Marxists and socialist: These groups believe in the idea of taking away wealth from the most productive members of society to redistribute it to the least productive. Socialist love equality, and the best way to achieve equality is for everyone to be poor, mostly because most people lack the desire or ambition to be rich.
  • The Catholic church: It’s interesting how The Vatican asks rich people to donate their fortune to the poor while the Vatican is one of the wealthiest institutions of the world and they are not donating any of their wealth. On that note, the Vatican criticizes the wall being built between the U.S. and Mexico, while the Vatican has a beautiful wall around its city that they can control who comes in and who comes out of the Vatican city.
  • DEI promoters: DEI promoters advocate for preferential treatment of Gays, Transgenders, Black, Immigrants, etc, over merit. This preferential treatment can have horrible consequences for the businesses and communities they serve. Here are a few examples:
    • Kamala Harris. She is black, a female, and descendent of immigrants, she checks all the boxes. She was trusted with the mission to fix the immigration problem in the U.S. and she made it so much worse that this was one of the main reasons she lost the election. The new ‘border czar’ Tom Homan has practically stopped illegal immigration in one week.
    • Claudine Gay, former president of Harvard University, she is black and she is a lesbian, checking two boxes, she was caught plagiarizing works from her white colleagues.

Many of today’s business leaders such as Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen follow the ideas of individualism, capitalism, and meritocracy proposed by Ayn Rand.

As someone who came to Canada with no money, no connections, no education, and no language skills, I find her philosophy deeply resonant. It’s a perspective that not only helped me find my way but also allowed me to thrive in a society that rewards self-reliance and determination.

The Power of Individualism

When I arrived in Canada, I didn’t have anyone to lean on. There was no network, no safety net—just me, and my desire to succeed. My readings of Ayn Rand reminded me that success doesn’t come from waiting for handouts or relying on others to create opportunities. It comes from within.

Within 20 years of my arrival in Canada, I achieved financial independence. The ability to dream big and having a meritocratic system that allowed me to grow based on the risk that was taking and my hard work was all I needed.

Why Capitalism Works

In Rand’s view, capitalism is the only system that respects individual rights and rewards innovation and hard work. As an immigrant, I’ve seen the truth in this. In Canada, capitalism opened doors that allowed me to grow—not because of who I knew, but because of what I could create. At the same time, I have seen people who depend exclusively on hand outs and who claim that the rich are taxed enough and that the government is not helping enough.

I started with nothing and built a life by seizing opportunities, taking calculated risks, and being relentless in my efforts. Over 20 years, I went from struggling to make ends meet to creating several businesses such as the dance school and my photography business. This would not have been possible in a society that prioritizes equality of outcome over equality of opportunity.

Capitalism doesn’t guarantee success, but it guarantees the chance to succeed. It levels the playing field by allowing everyone to compete, regardless of where they come from.

The Flaws of DEI Policies

While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are often well-intentioned, they can sometimes create unintended consequences by focusing on privileging certain groups over others. Meritocracy—the cornerstone of Rand’s philosophy—offers a better alternative. It emphasizes rewarding individuals based on their achievements, skills, and contributions rather than their identities.

When I started my career, no one cared that I was an immigrant or that I spoke with an accent. What mattered was the value I could bring. Meritocracy gave me the chance to prove myself and earn my place.

DEI policies that prioritize identity over merit risk creating resentment and undermining the very idea of fairness. True inclusion doesn’t come from lowering standards or giving advantages; it comes from ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and is judged by the same criteria.

My Ayn Rand Moment

There was a moment early in my journey when I questioned whether I could make it in Canada. I didn’t speak the language, and I had no formal education or experience. But I remembered Rand’s message: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”

With that mindset, I taught myself English, started working odd jobs, and eventually discovered my passion for personal finance and photography. Every success, no matter how small, reinforced my belief in the power of self-reliance and the rewards of a merit-based system.

Why Rand’s Philosophy Still Matters

In a world where collectivist ideas, hating on capitalism and meritocracy is often promoted by universities and social group, Ayn Rand’s message is more relevant than ever. Her celebration of individualism, capitalism, and meritocracy reminds us that the greatest achievements come from the freedom to think, create, and excel.

As an immigrant, I’ve lived the reality of Rand’s ideals. Canada gave me the freedom to succeed not because of my background but because of my ability to take risk and contribute. And I believe that’s the kind of society we should continue to build—a society that rewards effort, innovation, and resilience.

So, to anyone who feels lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of their place in the world, I’d say this: Don’t wait for someone to give you permission. Believe in your ability to create your own destiny. Ayn Rand was right—your success is your moral obligation to yourself. And when you succeed, you’ll inspire others to do the same.

What are your thoughts on Ayn Rand’s philosophy? Have you found value in individualism, capitalism, or meritocracy in your own life? Let me know in the comments.

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