Ayn Rand, [Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Ayn Rand Quote “[S]tatism is a system of institutionalized violence and perpetual civil war. It leaves men no choice but to fight to seize political power -- to rob or be robbed, to kill or be killed. ... Statism survives by looting; a free country survives by production.”Ayn Rand ~ Ayn Rand [Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriterThe Roots Of WarRatings and Comments Reply cal, lewisville, tx 6/21/11 And who are these looters? Could it be the ones who passed Obama care on our backs, however; exempting themselves from it. Reply J Carlton, Calgary 6/21/11 Statism is in a word "corrupt". Reply Waffler, Smith 6/21/11 Never heard the word till I came on this site. Is statism anything like governmentism? Are counties and places like Idaho quilty of it? Are "state" police guilty of it? To get agitated or angry at a nebulous fragile, indistict concept is either foolish or crazy or I guess both. Reply J Carlton, Calgary 6/21/11 Waffler = Clueless. Just because you don't know the meaning of something doesn't mean that the "thing" is ignorant. It simply demonstrates your own ignorance. 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/21/11 Waffler, your admitted ignorance demonstrates the very select and narrow dogmas of your theological statist government schools. Though the quote illuminates history's perceptual norm, The Christ, Gandhi, and the like offered an exception to the rule. As to man's government, the statement: "Statism survives by looting; a free country survives by production", is absolutely correct Reply warren, olathe 1/14/12 Reply Ronw13, Oregon 6/7/19 Reply Robert Edwards, somewhere in the USA 6/7/19 For a change I must agree with her — a great quote for such a small girl... SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Ayn Rand quote is found in these categories: About Ayn Rand Bio of Ayn Rand Quotations by Ayn Rand Books by/about Ayn Rand Ayn Rand videos Ayn Rand on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Ayn Rand