Mark Twain’s observation of post-Civil War industrial boom referred to as the Gilded Age is as relevant today as it was in the late 19th century. Exploitation of the human and natural resources, followed by the growing wealth gap and inequalities between the “haves” and “have-nots”, are some of the major aspects of the Gilded Age, which can be seen in the current social, economic, and political environment. This article discusses why Mark Twain named this era the Gilded Age, and the significance of his observations in today’s world.
The Gilded Age is associated with a sense of decay and injustice of the working poor and minorities, a lack of enforcement of regulations, and a lack of enforcement of regulations protecting city workers. Consolidated monopolies and corporate trusts, some exercising immense economic and political power, had a strong hand in the Gilded Age. The wealthy individuals expanded their control over the resources, competing for economic dominance and political power.
Mark Twain was able to capture this feeling of unchecked power of the elite, and named the era after his fictional novel “The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today”, which was published in 1873. He depicted the same injustices he observed in real life—the greed and avarice disguised in grandiose beauty. His novel is widely considered to be a satire of the Gilded Age.
It’s no surprise that Twain’s critique still echoes today, as the elites increase their control over businesses and organizations, centralizing the accumulation of wealth. Although much of the Gilded Age is associated with economic inequality, racial discrimination was also a major issue during this era. Largely due to racism and a lack of formal legal protections for people of color, racial discrepancies in education and employment opportunities were commonplace during this era.
Today, with the current state of racial inequality, justice reform initiatives, the debate on immigration policies, the corporate tax-cut incentives, and other light-touch regulations—we can see that some of the issues that characterized the Gilded Age still prevail.
Despite the fact that the Gilded Age brought significant economic-growth, the gains were not shared equally. The labor movement intensified, wages stagnated, and employment insecurity became a common phenomenon across the country. This inequality which still exists today, is the major reason why Mark Twain considered this period the Gilded Age.
Today, the challenges faced in the Gilded Age—political corruption, economic sector inequality, environmental waste, and extreme disparities in wealth—are still relevant. However, there are also signs of hope and progress. Some of the changes proposed by legislators and grassroots organizations to combat economic and racial injustice, such as universal healthcare, living wages, and equitable opportunities for minority groups indicate a brighter future ahead.
The Post Gilded Age
The immediate period following the Gilded age is sometimes called the Progressive Era, characterized by a proliferation of Progressive reforms and the belief that the best way to improve society is through social reforms and government regulation. The widespread corruption of the period forced many states to modernize their laws and alter their government systems in order to promote fair government, protect citizens, and combat the abuses of the wealthy.
The Progressive movement sought to rid the government of its cronyism, as well as rationalize and simplify laws, regulations, and taxes to make them more accessible and understandable to the public. It also focused on protecting women, minorities, and workers from various forms of deception and abuse.
In addition, the Progressive movement increased the power of the federal government, promoted the application of science, and pushed for economic and political reforms. This proved to be an effective tool for reforming the government and addressing the socioeconomic problems of the era.
Notable figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson led the movement with the intent to create a more fair, just and equitable society. The reforms implemented during this period led to the establishment of the first motor traffic laws and the creation of new child labor laws. In addition, taxes, healthcare, and pensions were seen as necessary steps to protect the vulnerable in society.
The impact of the Progressive Era was extensive, and its legacy is still felt today in the United States government, with its emphasis on reform, regulation, and social progress. The combination of these elements has created a strong foundation for the country’s political and economic systems.
Rise of the Working Class
The Gilded Age had a profound effect on the rise of the working class, prompting the proliferation of labor unions and left-wing organizations. The combination of workers’ rights and civil rights movements enabled the development of a working class identity and empowered citizens to assert their rights and challenge the existing structures and systems of segregation and inequality.
The labor movement in particular focused on improving wages, working conditions, and access to education in order to improve the conditions of the working class. For instance, laws protecting union activities, such as the Clayton Antitrust Act, allowed unions to become an integral part of the workplace. This gave the working class an equal seat at the table in negotiations with the employers.
Furthermore, the American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) highlighted the importance of civil rights and liberties for all individuals, regardless of their race. This provided more access to opportunities for African-Americans and other minorities that had previously been discriminated against in the workplace.
Nevertheless, despite the progress made in terms of civil rights and labor reforms, economic inequality and racial disparities remain high in the US. The minimum wage has not been adjusted to inflation, leaving many individuals trapped in the cycle of poverty. In the 21st century, it is still possible to observe the same issues Twain described in his novel “The Gilded Age.”
Income Inequality & Homelessness
Income inequality is another crucial issue that continues to have an impact today. The top 1 percent of Americans control 40 percent of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50 percent of Americans have only 2.5 percent. This has increased significantly since the Gilded Age, signaling that the existing structures of power grant influence to wealthy individuals, while silencing the voices of the working class.
It’s not just wealth inequality, but homelessness is another sad reality in the United States. The lack of affordable housing options and economic insecurity, has particularly affected low-income communities, with more than half a million individuals experiencing homelessness each year. Homelessness and poverty are often intertwined, as individuals are unable to access stable housing due to their economic situation.
Research has shown that certain communities and subpopulations are more vulnerable due to racial and economic biases, with communities of color and those with higher poverty levels facing the most severe impacts of homelessness. The homelessness crisis has reached catastrophic levels, underlining the massive scale of the current inequality crisis.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
While much has changed since the Gilded Age, the same underlying issues surrounding inequality, poverty and homelessness have remained. Twain’s comments in “The Gilded Age” still resonates today, as we witness similar injustice and exploitation.
In light of these problems, policy reforms and public programs could help reduce the structural inequality and mitigate the underlying socioeconomic issues. Policies such as an increased minimum wage, increased access to affordable housing, higher taxes on the wealthy, and quality education opportunities could be key to sustainable economic growth and equity.
More broadly, we need to identify current systems and structures of power that perpetuate inequality, and create systemic reforms that can dismantle these structures. Solutions such as enhancing anti-discrimination policies, promoting social services, encouraging civic participation, and providing support for vulnerable populations could be the key to reversing the psychological and economic inequalities of the Gilded Age.
