The+Spoilsman-An+Age+of+Cynacism

  VB – Today, the corruption in the United States legal system is at a minimum compared to that of the Guilded Age. Richard Hofstadter elaborates on the corruption that existed during the late 1800s. Elected officials received payments from wealthy businessmen in return for political and legislative favors, therefore overlooking the corrupt tactics used by industrialists. Favoring their own individual interests, politicians supported corporations that would resultantly help them. Industrialists were not the only ones to adopt the idea of Social Darwinism, as exemplified by the quote provided by Hofstadter from George Hearst. The Senators were simply following the newly created social expectations. The hatred that had developed towards the monopolists transcended to the politicians. It was soon recognized that a government embezzled in corruption could not function at its highest efficiency.

Although it seemed to be an epidemic, not all officials practiced tainted politics. The public demanded integrity from their leaders and was prepared to elect more moral individuals. These changes ultimately brought about legislation that limited the spread of the monopolies. Anti-trust legislation resulted in limitation for corporations, minimizing the spread of corruption. Even though the industrialists were persistent in their efforts to preserve their monopolies, the legislators adhered to public discontent and actively supported laws to end monopolies. very good in a general sense -- argument would have been stronger had specific examples/court cases been included SFH – The rise of industrial capitalist in the Gilded Age gave heed to increased industrialization, some of America’s first millionaires, and successful business ventures and monopolies. Yet this period of American history is too often glamorized as a time where the underprivileged and poor could gain wealth and opportunities, overlooking the reality of the situation. In Richard Hofstadter’s article //The Spoilsmen: An Age of Cynicism// Hofstadter asserts the men responsible for this transformation in America exuded heroic audacity, propagated of the counties wealth, and managed the counties corruption. Yet Hofstadter’s argument fails to explore the true scope of the situation, failing to take into account the fact that although a few Americans were flourishing in new business ventures, the majority of Americans were no so lucky. Upton Sinclair illustrates the disparity of the of the meatpacking industry in Chicago. Although Sinclair’s account may be an extreme example the brutalities and conditions in wealthy entrepreneurs factories, there has to be a truth that can be reached between Hofstadter and Sinclair’s accounts. Andrew Carnegie is a prime example of a man who on the surface exemplifies the qualities Hofstadter illustrates yet in all actuality Carnegie had selfish motives. Initially Carnegies coal workers were forced to bring their own shovels to work, when Carnegie started to supply his workers with shovels it was not to ease their burden but to increase productivity; resulting in the loss of jobs for many coal workers. The millionaires justified their monopolies and brutal treatment with the ideology of Social Darwinism. This ideology seemed to explain their luck and seemed to give equal opportunity to other underprivileged Americans. It is clear the Gilded Age brought extraordinary wealth and unprecedented business ventures, yet the majority of Americans and these businessmen’s selfish deeds cannot be overlooked. ﻿ MRL - Richard Hofstadter, author of //The Spoilsman: An Age of Cynicism**,**// elaborates with great detail the extent of rapacious practices within the Gilded Age, in both politics and business. It is interesting to note the evolution of politicians that has occured in the time period of the Gilded Age to the present. Although it is debatable whether current politicians are as corrupt as the politicians of the Gilded Age, it is certain that the motivations for seeking office in the government have transformed. For instance, Hofstadter asserts that during the "Age of Cynicism", people sought political office primarily for the gain of personal wealth; however, in present day America it is evident that people no longer seek office for the gain of wealth because a vast amount of money is somewhat of a necessity in order to effectively campaign for election. This transformation indicates that obtaining a political office is perhaps more of a matter of prestige or reputation, because it can be speculated that individuals will spend a greater amount of money trying to get elected than they will once actually in office. Although there will always be crooked individuals who wish to exploit and abuse their position, one could postulate that, since political offices are no longer sources of money but are in reality expensive occupations, there is in fact less corruption in modern day national-level American poltics than there was during the Gilded Age.
 * your premise is problematic in that some politicians still seek office today believing there will be a financial reward -- that kills your argument**

AJN- The common image  was propelled greatly by the American Captains of Industry and what they left behind from their endeavors. Many American heroes through literary works in the folk genre were rags to riches stories. The majority of the great industrial leaders during this time had started life in the lower or lower-middle classes. Many industrialists started out deprived, hard working careers of frugality or rugged individualism. It was now widely believed that in America what one set out to be one could become through hard work and perseverance. This was the beginning of the American dream and the result of hundreds of years of hard work and dedication to break free from overbearing oppression. Also, on the flip side if you failed it was your own fault and not that of anything but the lack of hard work and dedication. Horatio Alger painted a picture that by leading exemplary lives, struggling valiantly against poverty and adversity, anyone could achieve the American dream. This was the ultimate culmination of hard work that would eventually and most probably pay off. The best example of this rags-to-riches approach was steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. He began as the boy who sold newspapers and became one of the richest men in the world. Carnegie declared that “the millionaires who are in active control started as poor boys and were trained in the sternest but most efficient of all schools-poverty.” Carnegie could even repute his argument with numerous examples beside his own. checked