Social Darwinism

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Social Darwinism, also referred to as social Spencerism, is a body of pseudoscientific theories and societal practices that claim to apply biological concepts of evolution and "survival of the fittest" to the social realm, especially in regard to issues involving social class, economics, and politics. Despite erroneously bearing Charles Darwin's name, it is chiefly associated with Herbert Spencer, the main developer and leading exponent of what came to be known as "social Darwinist" ideas, whose theories of evolution were neo-Lamarckian and both predated and contradicted Darwin's. Proponents of social Darwinism believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease. Social Darwinist definitions of the strong and the weak vary, and differ on the precise mechanisms that reward strength and punish weakness. Many such views stress competition between individuals in laissez-faire capitalism, while others, emphasizing struggle...

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