Social Darwinists were individuals who applied Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to society. They believed that the wealthy and successful individuals in society were naturally selected and superior, while those who struggled or were poor were considered inferior.
Related terms
Laissez-faire capitalism: An economic system where there is little government interference and businesses operate freely based on market forces.
Survival of the fittest: A concept derived from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which states that organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully than others.
Eugenics: The study or belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population through selective breeding or sterilization to eliminate undesirable traits or promote desirable ones.