During the Progressive Era, political leaders instituted policies designed to empower average Americans and curtail the power of large business interests. In the course of US
history, the pendulum has swung between increasing government regulation of big
business and leaving it free to grow as it will. In your lifetime, what decisions has the
government made about increasing or decreasing this type of regulation? What have
been the effects of those decisions? Compare the issues and outcomes to those of the
early twentieth century decisions to regulate big business in the Progressive Era. You
might also consider whether the media serve a similar "muckraking" role in causing this
pendulum to swing one way or another.