The correct answer is They allowed businesses to operate with few regulations.
Laissez faire economics is a an economic belief that government should stay out of the affairs of businesses. This philosophy states that the consumers will benefit most when businesses compete against each other without outside influences. This policy was followed by the American government throughout the Gilded Age (late 1800's-early 1900's). This allowed for the development of the modern day corporate structure and monopolies as we know it.
