Wealth Inequality and Social Unrest: A Recurring Pattern in American History

Quoting heavily from History, writer Justin Klawans describes the Gilded Age in The Week like so:

The Gilded Age was a period when the United States "became more prosperous and saw unprecedented growth in industry and technology," said History. But it was also a time "where greedy, corrupt industrialists, bankers and politicians enjoyed extraordinary wealth and opulence at the expense of the working class." Most of the power during the Gilded Age was held by America's wealthy, not politicians.

The author discusses the parallels between our current era and the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. Both periods, he says, are characterized by significant wealth inequality, technological advancements, and social unrest. The increasing gap between the rich and the poor, coupled with the rise of powerful corporations, has led some experts to warn of potential societal consequences. While the specific industries driving wealth accumulation have changed, the underlying issues of economic inequality and the role of government remain relevant today. You can read the full article, linked above.

The Gilded Age, a period of rampant materialism and political corruption in the 1870s, inspired significant social and political criticism, especially at the turn of the century that followed. This era, named after Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner's 1873 novel, The Gilded Age, highlighted the stark contrast between immense wealth and widespread poverty.