Abstract The first Gilded Age of the United States was the late 19th century, right after the American Civil War, and the second Gilded Age refers to the period from Reagan administration to 2007 when the financial crisis occurred. Both Gilded Ages witnessed rapid economic growth. However, rapid economic growth was not necessarily cost-free. It might have been achieved at the expenses of the interest of disadvantaged labor class and of long-term public interests, and by the abuse of natural resources. This article focuses on the problems of the Gilded Ages and the policy solutions provided by the American government. The lessons left by the two Gilded Ages might be of value to policy makers in China whose economy is experiencing rapid growth.
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