Andrew Carnegie (modern America might know him from Carnegie Hall in NYC) was one of the many business leaders in the 19th Century to utilize the laissez-faire system of capitalism to become wealthy. Carnegie may not be all that well known today, but he left behind two important ideas that would set in motion a chain of events across society: the Gospel of Wealth and Social Darwinism.
The Gospel of Wealth a was a principle to which Carnegie invented and subscribed that stated, “People should be free to make as much money as they can. After they make it, however, they should give it away” (238). Carnegie was of the opinion that once business leaders had made their money (by whatever means), they should give back what they don’t need to the community. To Carnegie’s credit, he did give away the majority of his money, being particularly generous in his funding of education. His philanthropy provided a good example and won business leaders some sympathy, helping to perpetuate the system of laissez-faire capitalism, despite complaints about his steel company’s business practices and treatment of workers. …show more content…
It continued to push the idea that government should stay out of business, saying bluntly, “if the government would stay out of the affairs of business, those who were most “fit” would succeed and become rich” (239). The idea was brilliant in its cunning simplicity: it successfully won many Americans to the side of laissez-faire while simultaneously skimming over the real-life complexities of the economic ladder. But just as Carnegie’s philanthropy won over the hearts of the American people, Social Darwinism won their
The Gospel of Wealth a was a principle to which Carnegie invented and subscribed that stated, “People should be free to make as much money as they can. After they make it, however, they should give it away” (238). Carnegie was of the opinion that once business leaders had made their money (by whatever means), they should give back what they don’t need to the community. To Carnegie’s credit, he did give away the majority of his money, being particularly generous in his funding of education. His philanthropy provided a good example and won business leaders some sympathy, helping to perpetuate the system of laissez-faire capitalism, despite complaints about his steel company’s business practices and treatment of workers. …show more content…
It continued to push the idea that government should stay out of business, saying bluntly, “if the government would stay out of the affairs of business, those who were most “fit” would succeed and become rich” (239). The idea was brilliant in its cunning simplicity: it successfully won many Americans to the side of laissez-faire while simultaneously skimming over the real-life complexities of the economic ladder. But just as Carnegie’s philanthropy won over the hearts of the American people, Social Darwinism won their