Muckraking:Means and Achievements

• 作 者: 刘笑元
• 机 构: 云南大学
• 出 处: 云南大学
• 发表日期: 2002年期
• 关键词: Means Achievements

Muckraking, as a movement, refers to the crusade against social evils ofthe early 20 century in America by journalists, writers, professionalpractitionere, university professors and governmental officials. It started in1903 and began its ebb before World War I. The advancement of industry inthe latter half of the 19 century brought with it not only the general prosperityof the nation, but also large amount of social, political and economic problems.As the voice of Progressivism, the muckrakers investigated these issues andpublished their findings in periodicals and books.The objective of the muckraking crusade was to guarantee democracy inAmerica through educating the public and raising the public conscience.Therefore their role was essentially educational and their education was mainlythrough moral exhortation, because to them, the public adulation of materialsuccess contributed largely to the loss of their cherished democracy.Althoughthe muckraking movement lasted only a short period, its contribution wasimmense in promoting social change. Their activities contributed directly orindirectly to the milestones in political, economic and social legislation such asthe Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act and the SeventeenthAmendment to the Constitution. Furthermore, their writings helped tocultivate public consumer consciousness and accelerated the arising of publicrelations industry in the United States. So there is no exaggeration in claimingthat the muckraking works played a significant role in changing the historicalcourse of America and thus deserves more study.