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Primary sourceBook1908

Problems of To-day: Wealth, Labor, Socialism

Andrew Carnegie · 1908

A 1908 book by Andrew Carnegie arguing against socialism and for heavy inheritance taxes, developing ideas from his earlier 'Gospel of Wealth'.

Carnegie's own late-life book setting out his mature economic philosophy on wealth, taxation and socialism.

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About this source

What it is

This is a book written by Andrew Carnegie, published in 1908, held by the Library of Congress with digitized copies available online. It builds on opinions he had expressed since 1889, including his famous essay later known as 'The Gospel of Wealth'.

Why it matters

In this book Carnegie argues against socialism and in favor of heavy taxes on inherited wealth. The opening recalls how his earlier essay drew responses from figures including William Gladstone and President Theodore Roosevelt, showing how Carnegie's ideas about wealth and its responsibilities reached the highest levels of politics on both sides of the Atlantic.

Why it matters

Look closer

  • Why might a man who built an industrial fortune argue in favor of taxing inherited wealth?
  • What does the involvement of figures like Gladstone and Roosevelt suggest about the influence of Carnegie's writing?
  • How might Carnegie's own experience as a wealthy man have shaped his views on socialism?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Andrew Carnegie on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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