Genesis No. 10: The Great Cleanup
How “Muckrakers” and Reforms Saved Democracy
At the beginning of the 20th century, the US and Europe began their fight against oligarchy. This was the “Progressive Era,” when society cured the state of the “Gilded Age” excesses.
The "Muckrakers"
Journalists became a real power for the first time. They exposed monopoly schemes (like Standard Oil) and municipal corruption. Publicity made bribery toxic for politicians.
Theodore Roosevelt: The Trust Buster
The US President began breaking up giant corporations that had bought the government. He established the principle: no business is above the law.
Electoral Reforms
The introduction of secret ballots and direct elections destroyed the power of “political bosses” who previously simply bought votes.
Genesis Conclusion:
Corruption is not a death sentence. A free press, independent courts, and political will can clean the system even after decades of oligarchic control.