https://www.alainguillot.com/ayn-rands-vision-of-america/
DEI is OUT, meritocracy is IN.
Meritocracy is the idea that people should advance based on ability and achievement rather than privilege or status.
There are many groups that hate meritocracy, for example:
- Unions: Unions believe in seniority, not on merit.
- Marxists and socialist: These groups believe on the idea of taking away from the most productive members of society to redistribute it to the least productive.
- Religious groups: It’s interesting how The Vatican ask 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 build between the U.S. and Mexico, while the Vatican has a beautiful wall around its city that they can open and close at their will.
- DEI promoters: DEI promoters advocate for preferential treatment of Gays, Transgenders, Black, Immigrants, etc, over merit. This preferential treatment can have horrible consequesces.
Many of today’s business leaders such as Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen follow the ideas of ideas on 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.
When I arrived in Canada, I didn’t have anyone to lean on. There was no network, no safety net—just me, my ambition, and an unfamiliar world. 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.
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.
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.
