LAD #21: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

     Andrew Carnegie was an extremely wealthy business man due to his involvement in the steel industry, supplying the increasingly popular railroads.  He came up with the "Gospel of Wealth," which basically describes how a capitalistic society is beneficial for big business.  Although referred to as a robber baron by some, Carnegie suggests that the gap between the rich and the poor as a result of the emergence of big business is better than if everyone shared the same wealth.  He explains that these so called "robber barons" actually better the economy through their donation to various social projects.  He then discusses primogeniture, the European practice which allows cash flow but also guarantees that wealth be handed down to the first born son, crushing his ambition or desire to succeed.  Carnegie then places emphasis on the donation of excess wealth to fund programs which support the poor and other aspects of society.  Carnegie himself followed these guidelines as he is know remembered as a huge Philanthropist who funded many libraries throughout the nation as well as the University, Carnegie
Mellon.