Question

How does Carneige view the poor? Does this reflect any popular ideologies at the time? Explain

Answer 1

Poor and limited are our opportunities in this life; narrow our horizon; our best, most imperfect work; "Andrew Carnegie" Carnegie argued that the rich had a duty to improve society by helping the poor. Carnegie, however, was not simply supporting the provision of money to the poor. Rather, Carnegie believed it was the duty of the rich to provide the means by which the poor could achieve success, for example by providing free libraries, schools and universities. Carnegie's view was at odds with social Darwinists, who argued that providing assistance to the poor was against evolution. "

Carnegie in his article The Gospel of Wealth expressed the responsibility of the rich to redistribute their wealth in ways that promote the public good and reduce wealth inequality in society. Carnegie believed that free libraries would provide the opportunity for all rich or poor people to accumulate knowledge that would lead to a prosperous lifestyle. His libraries are located in the United States, and the largest are in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Much of Andrew Carnegie's wealth went to building his libraries. Carnegie did not simply want to give money to the poor as a means of redistributing wealth. His wealth gospel says that redistribution must be done in a responsible and thoughtful way. He opposed the government's forced redistribution of wealth. He felt the rich were in a better position to make good redistribution decisions than the government.