Question

Document 2
Andrew Carnegie, The Gospel of Wealth (1889)
“We accept and welcome… great inequality of environment; the concentration of business… in the hands of a few… as being not only beneficial, but essential to the future progress of the race.”
Source: Gospel of Wealth (Andrew Carnegie, 1889).pdf
Questions:
1. How does Carnegie justify wealth inequality?
2. What ideology does this reflect?
3. Who benefits from this argument?
use simple words and 1-2 sentences each question

Answer 1

1. Carnegie says inequality is natural and useful because having money and business power in the hands of a few smart, hard-working people helps society make progress. He also argues the rich should use their wealth to help others wisely.

2. This reflects Social Darwinism and laissez-faire capitalism, and is called the "Gospel of Wealth" — the idea that competition and private wealth lead to improvement.

3. The main winners are wealthy industrialists and business owners who keep control and profit, though Carnegie claims society also benefits when those rich give money to public causes.