Social Darwinism

Definition

Social Darwinism is a socio-political theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to human societies. This idea suggests that social, economic, and political inequalities are natural and justified by the belief that stronger individuals or groups will prevail over weaker ones. It played a significant role in shaping attitudes toward social welfare and policies during the evolution of social welfare systems from colonial times to the Great Depression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social Darwinism gained prominence in the late 19th century as industrialization and urbanization were changing societies, leading to increased disparities between different social classes.
2. Prominent figures such as Herbert Spencer popularized Social Darwinism, arguing that societal progress is driven by competition among individuals and groups.
3. The theory was used to justify imperialism, as it framed the domination of weaker nations by stronger ones as a natural and beneficial process.
4. During the early 20th century, Social Darwinist ideas influenced welfare policies, leading to a reluctance to provide assistance to the poor and disadvantaged, based on the belief that helping them interfered with natural selection.
5. Social Darwinism faced significant criticism and decline after World War I and II as it became associated with racist ideologies and eugenics movements that had dire consequences for millions.

Review Questions

• How did Social Darwinism influence attitudes towards poverty and welfare policies during the period leading up to the Great Depression?
  • Social Darwinism significantly impacted how society viewed poverty and welfare policies by promoting the idea that poverty was a result of individual failure rather than systemic issues. This mindset led to a reluctance to provide support for those in need, as many believed that aiding the poor undermined natural social competition. Consequently, welfare policies were often minimal or punitive, reflecting a belief that only the 'fittest' should survive without government intervention.
• Discuss how Social Darwinism was used to justify imperialistic actions in the late 19th century.
  • Social Darwinism provided a framework for justifying imperialistic expansion by suggesting that stronger nations had a right—and even a duty—to dominate weaker ones. Proponents argued that this dominance was not only inevitable but beneficial, as it helped to spread civilization and progress. This ideology rationalized colonial exploitation and oppression under the guise of a moral imperative to elevate supposedly 'inferior' cultures, masking economic motivations with a veneer of benevolence.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of Social Darwinism on contemporary social policies and beliefs about inequality.
  • The long-term impacts of Social Darwinism on contemporary social policies include persistent beliefs about meritocracy and individual responsibility that often overshadow systemic inequality issues. While overtly Social Darwinist ideologies have largely been discredited, their legacy can be seen in ongoing debates about welfare, social assistance programs, and public perceptions of poverty. These debates often reflect underlying assumptions about worthiness and personal responsibility rooted in earlier Social Darwinist thought, complicating efforts to address structural inequalities effectively.

Related terms

Survival of the Fittest: A phrase often associated with Darwin's theory, used to describe the mechanism of natural selection where only the strongest or most adaptable organisms survive.

Laissez-faire: An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the market, which aligned with Social Darwinist views on competition and social policy.

Eugenics: A movement aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population, often linked to Social Darwinism, advocating for selective breeding and policies that promoted certain populations over others.