دراسات
Volume 7, Numéro 3, Pages 232-242
2018-12-11

Trust-busting Policies As An Economic Reform In The Usa From 1890 To 1921

Authors : Melki Fatima Zohra .

Abstract

The Progressive Presidents namely T. Roosevelt, H. Taft, and W. Wilson undertook effective reforms of the country’s economy particularly the elimination of the monopolies and the trusts. They were animated by the desire to find a reasonable balance between laissez-faire capitalism and outright socialism. During the Progressive Era, the USA witnessed ademocratic evolution from corrupt and inefficient economic management to a system of reforms that undertook the cleansing and preservation of the socio-economic and political life in the country, especially by bringing down the powerful business combinations and monopolies. There seems to be a wide difference between the policies of the three Presidents and the political groups they represented, but in reality this difference is rather found in the methods they adopted to achieve their objectives than in their principles. Their policies were founded on the principle that the State must not protect only the interests of the businesses but aim for the progress of all citizens.

Keywords

trust-busting ; corporations ; economic reforms ; Progressive Presidents ; monopolies ; Sherman Act