Toohey preaches a doctrine of selfless service to society. He is an altruist and collectivist. He believes that the group is more important than the individual, and that an individual exists solely to serve others, which stands in stark contrast to Roark's completely opposite views. Toohey is virulently opposed to the individualism of Roark, to the principle that an individual has "inalienable rights" and that a man has the right to live his own life. Toohey's values are those that underlie Communism and Nazism — the supremacy of the State or "the People" over the individual. Roark's values are those that underlie the original founding principles of the United States — the sovereign right of the individual. Roark's commitment to independent life stands in direct opposition to Toohey's goal of establishing a Communist or Fascist dictatorship in the United States. "Great men can't be ruled," Toohey states. "Therefore, we don't want any great men." Given the book's theme, this statement should be understood to mean, "Independent men can't be ruled. Therefore, we don't want any independent men."
Toohey's power-seeking activities are manifested in two interrelated forms. At the private level, he cultivates a legion of brainwashed followers who have relinquished all independent functioning and obey his every command. Toohey is a cult leader in this regard, exactly like such real-life figures as Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Sun Myung Moon. His method is to convince others to give up their values, those things they most love and that give their lives meaning. "No," he advises one boy. "I wouldn't go in for music if I were you. . . . That's just the trouble — that you love it. . . . Give it up. Yes, even if it hurts like hell." When a weak-minded person like Peter Keating gives up what he wants, his life is experienced as empty. He needs someone to fill it with purpose and meaning. He is no longer capable of doing this independently; he needs someone to do it externally. Ellsworth Toohey "was never too busy to give them his full attention," and he fills this void.
