What Lessons did Wonka have for Libertarians?
by I, AnCap
Gene Wilder passed away yesterday at 83 years of age. Wilder is known for his work in “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” and many other films.
In honor of Wilder, we at TLR are going to examine one of the cardinal personalities he adopted: Willy Wonka in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Whether you loved suspense, drama, comedy, or even his famous internet meme (Condescending Wonka) Wilder entertained millions across the world and will be remembered for generations and beyond in the world of film for this role.
Wonka was famous for teaching us not to be sinful, but patient, kind, and humble. The greatest thing about Wonka is that both young and old readers and moviegoers knew him. Everyone who read the book loved it, and there was a movie for Gen X in 1971 and for millennials in 2005.
Wonka was a capitalist, through and through. He employed hundreds (perhaps thousands) of workers, improving their living standards and giving them purpose in life. He produced commodities that everyone loved and cherished, gave children someone to thank for their candy and adults someone to aspire to be. It was only until he began the Golden Ticket contests did a select few fans get a glimpse of what made Wonka tick.
For Wonka, running a business wasn’t about making money or living large. In the eyes of every successful businessman, there’s more to running a successful capitalist empire than dollar signs and cheap thrills. Wonka had a love for his craft and new when it was time to call it quits. Some of them learned this lesson harder than others, and for the one who truly understood the rules of how to succeed in capitalism, possibilities were endless. Here are 5 things Wonka taught us about Capitalism and the free market.
5.) Over-Consumption isn’t Wise
Augustus Gloop was the first to go on Wonka’s Golden ticket tour when he let himself go on the chocolate river. Gloop’s lack of self-control resembles the mistakes of many corrupt CEOs and greedy “1%ers” as seen in the media. Gloop didn’t care what he polluted or who was affected by his negligence. Gloop only cared about himself and his bottom line.
But, like in a true free market, those who played fair and didn’t over-indulge turned out fine, whereas the one who didn’t is punished and suffered the consequences. Imagine Gloop as a corporation which polluted a river to save money or extract resources. The Oompa Loompa who owned that river paraded him around, making a fool out of him for his bad behavior and embarrassing him in front of the public. Wonka, undoubtedly the government in this scenario, let nature take his course and Gloop was removed from the scenario. Notice how Wonka did not bail Gloop out or try to enact his own punishment because he knew the Oompa Loompas who were put directly at risk knew exactly what needed to be done to their aggressor. This is how a market should function.
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4.) Taking Risks isn’t Wise
One of the best things about capitalism is that it comes up with the sweetest inventions and innovations we enjoy everyday. From your favorite car to the drone you’re saving up for, from the new game you’re playing constantly to the device you’re reading this article from, all are products of someone having a dream and pursuing it for a profit.
Not all inventions should be made or succeed, however. Wonka knew this, and despite his great success, he had many, many failures. One was the “3 course meal” gum eaten by gum chewing champion Violet Beauregarde when she went on the Golden Ticket tour. Unfortunately for Violet, she would rather satisfy herself than think of the future negative effects of her ego. This “too big to fail” attitude has brought down many a giant corporation who should have tweaked their products just a little more before releasing them to the public. For whatever reason, they think it just can’t happen to them and release faulty products anyway and go the way of the Whigs. Wonka understood that creating a good product takes time, patience, and can’t be rushed, which is why he never released that stick of gum.
3.) Greed Isn’t All That Drives Capitalism
When Veruca Salt doesn’t get her way in the movie, she throws a fit and starts attacking the innocent, hardworking Oompa Loompas and their projects. She kicks down their boxes, yells in their faces and runs all over their equipment. Her father, a wealthy special interest, tries to bribe Wonka to get her way but Wonka values his commitment to his customers more than money, as do many business owners. Thankfully, Salt’s destructive tantrum is cut short when she pouts all the way to the garbage chute with her greedy father fast behind.
2.) Laziness Produces No Glory
Before video games or the internet, couch potatoes wasted their days by watching TV all the time. Such was the case with Mike Teavee, who had no aspirations or dreams outside of his television set. Unlike many of the previous children, Mike had little desire for wealth or riches and instead was content with taking whatever was handed to him.
Because he lacked the drive to get on TV through Hollywood, Mike wanted to use the labor of the Oompa Loompas to get him there without work. Because Mike didn’t understand the mechanisms one must maneuver to truly reach a public audience, his brief moment of fame was just a facade and shortly ended, along with any hopes of a normal life.
Had Mike understood that people in the world of film toiled long hours for their fame, perhaps he could have worked himself to obtain it instead of using what others worked for to get there. His delusions mirror many of today’s generation who don’t have the ambition to pursue their dreams in the job market.
1.) Ultimately, Some Envy and Passion is a Good Thing
At the end of the story, Charlie and his Grandpa are finally rewarded for their patience with the keys to the factory. What made Charlie succeed wasn’t blind altruism nor was it greed and disregard for his fellow man. It was a mix of both feelings shared by him and his grandfather. Grandpa Joe spent his life in poverty, wishing to provide a better life for him and his family. Although he came close to never fulfilling his dreams, his better life was ultimately granted to him and his Grandson had the chance to turn things around for everyone they cared about. Had he not wished for anything but the bare necessities, or became too insensitive like the other families had, chances are he’d still be living in poverty. It was ultimately seeing how great wealth is and striving to earn some himself that got him what he wanted.
Similarly, Charlie didn’t get what he wanted because he wished for a change in circumstance. He was determined to get what he wanted and stopped at nothing to obtain it. Had he lacked the drive to find that ticket and save his family, he probably would have given up and some other kid with the desire to meet Willy Wonka would have gotten it.
Those are ultimately the two things that make you succeed in life: a goal, sometimes inspired by a person you look up to, and the drive to get yourself there.