Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism applies Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to humanbeings, contending that throughout its history, human society has operatedlike a jungle where only the 'fittest'[1] survived. The theory was firstpropagated by Herbert Spencer, a 19th century English sociologist, whobelieved that such a process of seemingly cruel human evolution carriedimportant long-term benefits for the human society and should not beinterfered with. Social Darwinism did not find widespread acceptance inBritain or Europe but was enthusiastically supported in the United Statesof late nineteenth and early twentieth century especially by the eliteintellectuals and some influential businessmen. In this paper we shall takea detailed look at Social Darwinism and explore its impact on the American Origins of Social Darwinism Charles Darwin was an English biologist who captured the attention ofthe world when he published his thesis about evolution, On the Origin ofSpecies in 1859. Although theories of evolution had existed for centuries,Darwin's theory of "natural selection" was an innovative hypothesis thatevoked considerable interest. However, Darwin had purposely avoided
It was rationalized that natives of colonized countries wereweaker and unfit to survive; therefore the Colonialists were justified inseizing their land and resources. The theory also suited the racists whojustified the privileged position of the white Caucasian males at the topof the American societal hierarchy. Other prominent Social Darwinists of the era included William GrahamSumner (1840-1910), an American social scientist who, like his Englishcounterpart, believed that social evolution was best served by a minimalstate and championed laissez-faire as the most appropriate principle ofeconomics and government. For example, the fact that a child has a broken arm from anaccident does not mean that should have a broken arm. One ofits positive aspects was that indiscriminate handouts to the poor werediscouraged, resulting in channeling of resources to the genuinelydeserving. It is reflected in the American's attitude[4] towards economicinequality and poverty and was reflected in the "Reaganomics" of the 1980sthat identified the government as part of the problem and advocated "less"government. , trying to derive an ought statement from an is statement. (Wilkins) Impact of Social Darwinism on American Society The United States was passing through an industrial revolution towardsthe second half of the 19th century when the Social Darwinist theory wasintroduced by Spencer. " (Schultz) Spencer opined that human beings, like animals and plants, are engagedin a struggle for existence in which natural selection results in "survivalof the fittest. , the Capitalists who stood to gain from its acceptance. Among others, DavidHume, a famous philosopher, has conclusively shown in his writings that"is" does not imply "ought". ") The impact of Social Darwinism on the American society was greatlyreduced in the wake of the Great Depression that highlighted the dangers onunrestrained Capitalism and led to the "New Deal" policies of FDR. (Bannister, para on "TheStruggle School.
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