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Social Darwinism
Definition and Theory of Social Darwinism
Theory and Definition: The term Social Darwinism
encompasses the theories and ideology inspired by
Darwinism and associated with other evolutionary
theories in the realms of politics, sociology and
economics. The theory of Social Darwinism held that
the weak were diminished as the strong grew in power.
Adherents of Social Darwinism believed that social
progress resulted from conflicts in which the fittest, or
best adapted, individuals (or societies) would triumph.
Social Darwinism gave rise to the slogan "survival of the
fittest."
Social Darwinism Theory: Charles Darwin and the theory of Darwinism
The Social Darwinism theory expanded the originally theories of Darwinism. What was the theory of Darwinism?
Social Darwinism was based on the theories of evolution developed by British naturalist Charles Darwin
(1809 – 1882), which had focused on the evolution of plants and animals. The Darwinism theory was
explained in his famous 1859 work called "On the Origin of Species"
The work of Charles Darwin evolved as then applied his theory of natural selection in plants and animals,
specifically to people in his 1871 book "The Descent of Man"
His theory explained in "The Descent of Man" was criticized by some as justifying harsh social policies
and the living conditions of the poor
Social Darwinism Theory: Herbert Spencer and the "Survival of the Fittest"
The person most associated with the Social Darwinism theory was the British sociologist Herbert Spencer (1820
– 1903).
Herbert Spencer published his ideas on the theory of evolution in an essay entitled 'The Development
Hypothesis' on March 20, 1852, seven years before Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species was published
Herbert Spencer first coined the phrase "survival of the fittest" in his 1864 'Principles of Biology', after
reading Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species
Spencer used the phrase "survival of the fittest" to to human society describing the outcome of
competition between social groups. Spencer wrote,
"This survival of the fittest, which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms is what Mr. Darwin has
called ‘natural selection’,
or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life."
In his 1851 'Social Statistics' Spencer he opposed welfare systems, compulsory sanitation, free public
schools and any form of ‘poor law’ and argued in other works that through competition social evolution
would automatically produce prosperity and personal liberty unparalleled in human history
Social Darwinism Theory
Social Darwinism was similar to the theory of Darwinism but applied its biological concepts of human evolution
to sociology and politics. Social Darwinism developed in Great Britain and America during the late 19th and early
20th centuries. The term "Social Darwinism" has been rarely used by advocates of the concepts and ideologies
of the theory. The term "Social Darwinism" has almost always been used as a derogatory term by its
opponents. Social Darwinism was used as a philosophical rationalization for the imperialist and racist policies of
the Nazi Party that led to the outbreak of World War 2.
Social Darwinism Theory: Concepts and Theories
The theories and concepts of Social Darwinism are included the following chart. Because there were so many
ideas that supported the theory of Social Darwinism the proponents of the theory tended to agree with specific
aspects, rather than all of the theories.
Social Darwinism Theory and Concepts
Social
Darwinism
Theory
Imbalances of power between individuals and races were justified because some people were
more fit to survive than others
Social
Darwinism
Theory
Some people were superior to others due to their inherent characteristics and moral attributes
such as industriousness, temperance, diligence and ingenuity
Social
Darwinism
Theory
People with strength (physical, economic and technological) would survive, and those without
will not
Social
Darwinism
Theory
The theory of Social Darwinism was used to support Free Enterprise and 'laissez-faire'
capitalism combined with political conservatism during the Gilded Era
Social
Darwinism
Theory
The concept of Social Darwinism attempted to justify and rationalize ideas of imperialism,
hereditarianism and racism
Social
Darwinism
Theory
The idea that some racial or social groups (white and wealthy) were "naturally" superior to
other groups
Social
Darwinism
Theory
Proponents believed that Governments should not interfere with competition in successful
businesses by attempting to regulate working practices and the economy
Social
Darwinism
Theory
The belief that it was not the function of the Government to cure social problems
Social
Darwinism
Theory
The process of natural selection would result in the survival of the best competitors and
continued improvements in society and the population
Social Darwinism Theory and Concepts
Social Darwinism in America: American Supporters of Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism in America emerged as Herbert Spencer gained considerable support among intellectuals and
leading businessmen such as teacher and academic William Graham Sumner, historian John Fiske, banker
John D. Rockefeller, naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan and railroad magnate James J. Hill and steel magnate
Andrew Carnegie.
Social Darwinism in America: Free Enterprise and 'Laissez-Faire'
The theory of Social Darwinism was embraced by many leaders of American Big Business and Corporations.
These powerful companies accumulated vast profits that flourished in the American economic system of Free
Enterprise which was combined with the concept of 'Laissez-Faire'. The economic system of Free enterprise
enabled American Big Business and Corporations to operate in competition, largely free of state regulation or
control. The concept of 'Laissez-faire' economics relied on supply and demand, rather than government
intervention, to regulate prices and wages.
Social Darwinism in America: Liberalism
Many of the wealthy businessmen who embraced Social Darwinism also adhered to the concept of Liberalism
believing that all social problems, including environmental ones, could and should be solved through the free
market.
Social Darwinism in America: American Industrialists and the Robber Barons
Social Darwinism in America was supported by many wealthy American Industrialists, often referred to as the
Robber Barons who advocated a "dog-eat-dog" philosophy. John D. Rockefeller and James J. Hill, publicly
justified their ruthless and cutthroat business practices in terms of Social Darwinism. The powerful industrialist
maintained that individual self-interest was socially beneficial and that free trade and competition was a
permanent and necessary law of economics.
Social Darwinism in America: The Industrial Revolution and the Industrialization of America
The theory of Social Darwinism thrived during the era of the Second American Industrial Revolution when the
nation progressed from the Industrial Age of Iron into the Age of Steel when new inventions and massive
corporations emerged that utilized steel, electricity and oil. The effects of Industrialization in America
transformed the country from an agricultural to an industrial society. Open rural lifestyles were replaced by
congested City lifestyles. Industrialization changed the lives of Americans forever, bringing about complex
economic and social changes. The Industrialization of America led to the increased mechanization of industries
and the emergence of Factories and the Factory System based in towns and cities which led to the Urbanization
of America.
The Backlash against Social Darwinism in America: Urbanization
The backlash against the theory Social Darwinism in America emerged during the process of American
Urbanization when vast numbers of immigrants, a lack of town planning and the greed of the wealthy
industrialists resulted in the rapid growth of cities. The massive rises in the population were fueled by
unprecedented Immigration levels that peaked between 1901 - 1910 when 8,795,386 immigrants arrived in the
United States looking for work, new opportunities and a better standard of living. People flocked to the already
crowded towns and cities. The Urbanization of America led to:
Squalid living conditions for the poor
Class separation
Unhygienic, unsanitary and unsafe working conditions
An increase in Child Labor
A rise in poverty leading to increased crime and alcohol consumption
Political bribery and corruption
Social unrest that led to riots and strikes by workers