The relationship between big business and government has always been a complex one. On the one hand, businesses need government to provide a stable regulatory environment in which to operate. On the other hand, governments need businesses to create jobs and generate tax revenue. In recent years, however, this relationship has become increasingly strained.
In the United States, the rise of corporate power has led to a growing sense of inequality. Big businesses have been accused of using their wealth and influence to rig the system in their favor. They have been accused of paying their workers poverty wages, polluting the environment, and dodging taxes.
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Language | : | English |
File size | : | 830 KB |
Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
Screen Reader | : | Supported |
Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
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Print length | : | 449 pages |
As a result, public trust in big business has plummeted. A recent poll found that only 18% of Americans believe that big businesses are ethical. This mistrust has led to a growing demand for government to take action to rein in corporate power.
The Historical Rivalry Between Big Business and Government
The rivalry between big business and government has a long history in the United States. In the late 19th century, the rise of industrial capitalism led to the creation of large corporations that wielded enormous economic and political power.
These corporations often used their power to exploit workers and consumers. In response, the government passed a series of laws to regulate business activity. These laws included the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which prohibited monopolies, and the Clayton Act of 1914, which strengthened antitrust enforcement.
The rivalry between big business and government continued throughout the 20th century. In the 1930s, the Great Depression led to the passage of the New Deal, which expanded the role of government in the economy. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War led to a decline in public trust in government.
As a result, there was a resurgence of corporate power in the 1970s and 1980s. This was due in part to the deregulation of the economy and the rise of globalization.
The Current State of the Rivalry
In recent years, the rivalry between big business and government has intensified. This is due in part to the growing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few large corporations.
These corporations have been accused of using their wealth and influence to rig the system in their favor. They have been accused of paying their workers poverty wages, polluting the environment, and dodging taxes.
As a result, public trust in big business has plummeted. A recent poll found that only 18% of Americans believe that big businesses are ethical. This mistrust has led to a growing demand for government to take action to rein in corporate power.
The Reckoning That is Coming
The rivalry between big business and government is at a tipping point. Public trust in big business has reached a new low. At the same time, the growing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few large corporations is threatening the very fabric of our democracy.
It is clear that a reckoning is coming. Either big business will be reined in, or it will continue to erode our democracy. The future of our country depends on which path we choose.
The rivalry between big business and government has always been a complex one. However, in recent years, this relationship has become increasingly strained. The rise of corporate power has led to a growing sense of inequality and a decline in public trust in big business.
As a result, there is a growing demand for government to take action to rein in corporate power. It is clear that a reckoning is coming. Either big business will be reined in, or it will continue to erode our democracy. The future of our country depends on which path we choose.