Social Darwinism
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 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 favored 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 and in respect of unfair business practices. 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 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 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.