Social Darwinism is the theory that:
A. only countries with colonies can compete in the world market.
B. life consists of competitive struggles in which only the strong survive.
C. the American frontier stopped people from rebelling in the United States.
D. the United States should expand its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.
Answer (3)
Social Darwinism is the theory that B) life consists of competitive struggles in which only the strong survive. This theory applies Darwin's theory of natural selection to the social and political world. Those who supported this idea believe that in the social realm it is the responsibility of individuals to succeed and that those who are strong enough will and those that are not will fail. Those that support this theory did not support government programs to help the poor and other socially beneficial government policies.
Social Darwinism is a socio-political theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' from biological evolution to human societies. The theory was popularized by Herbert Spencer and posits that in life's competitive struggles, only the strong survive. This belief underpinned the justification for various social policies and practices, including imperialism, racism, and laissez-faire economics, suggesting that aiding the weaker sections of society would go against nature's law of survival.
In historical context, social Darwinist thought influenced 19th and 20th-century colonialist attitudes, implying that stronger, more developed cultures have the right to dominate and that the conquered would benefit from the 'civilizing' influence. It was also used to justify the idea that social inequality was a natural consequence of biological differences—an idea widely criticized and challenged for its ethical implications.
The correct answer to the student's question is 'b. life consists of competitive struggles in which only the strong survive', as this choice most accurately reflects the basic premise of Social Darwinism.
Social Darwinism is the theory that life consists of competitive struggles where only the strong survive. It was popularized by Herbert Spencer in the late 19th century and misapplied Darwin's natural selection ideas to social and economic contexts. Critics highlighted the potential injustices of this theory, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities in society.
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