There are many reasons why Americans would be drawn to Social Darwinism. These Americans could be intrigued by the concepts it presents.
Social Darwinism when applied to the poor would mean no welfare programs, or help of any sort. The reason being is that if they are strong they will find a way to survive by themselves.If they are weak they will die out. Over a period of time the weak will die out and society will be strengthened.If, however, you give aid to the poor you contribute to the weakening of society as a whole by encouraging the propagation of the weaker members.
The Gospel of Wealth was saying that everyone should get paid the same amount of money, where on the other side social Darwinism states that the strong will survive, so your answer will be..... the strong wouldn't be able to survive if everyone got paid the same amount of money, because then they would be just like everyone else.
Social Darwinists applied Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. They believed that the weaker members of society were as they were not because of their environment, but because they were lazy, unfit people, that wanted nothing more than to bring down the rest. During the popularization of Social Darwinism, those that were considered "superior," were those of high standing, of much influence, or of wealth. The lower and middle masses, were considered weak, and through the Social Darwinist view, things that society was better off with. This was pervaded by Horatio Alger stories and the belief that if they wished, people of lower classes could rise to fame and glory. Many Social Darwinists were also advocates of eugenics, and it is through the Social Darwinist philosophy, that the US Eugenics Movement came about in the 1960s. In terms of reform, Social Darwinism did little to help. If anything, it inhibited the efforts of many Progressives. While Progressives vied for social reform, Social Darwinists were content to leave things as they were. They believed that if things were left to their own accord, natural selection would take place, and the weaker members of society would be replaced by stronger, more able members. Eventually The Progressive Movement gained more support among the public, and reforms created despite the obstacles set by Social Darwinists.
Some social forces were evolutionary teachings like social darwinism. It justified competition and struggle between European countries. These countries each thought they were the best, the 'fittest' and deserved most of the world.
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There are many reasons why Americans would be drawn to Social Darwinism. These Americans could be intrigued by the concepts it presents.
The theory that discouraged government interference in economic matters was social Darwinism. Some social Darwinists think that governments should not interfere by trying to regulate the economy as this would take away competition and self-interest in social and business matters.
Andrew Carnegie, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist, owned a large steel company and believed in the principles of Social Darwinism. Carnegie believed that competition and "survival of the fittest" would lead to progress and success in society.
The idea of social Darwinism would have likely appealed to the wealthy and powerful elite within society, as it provided a justification for their position and wealth by suggesting that they were the most "fit" to lead and succeed. It also resonated with those who believed in individualism and competition as driving forces in society.
Social Darwinism argues for the survival of the fittest, and therefore if someone has become "unfit" in society, then they would and should be left behind to make way for the more successful generation of people who have the factors that allow them to succeed in theirenvironment, the marketplace.
He didn't. Evolution is a theory of descent with modification. It is a description of past and present biotic reality. Science gives a description of reality, not a prescription of human behaviour. Social Darwinism in not science, not inspired by science and not inspireable by science, and would surely not have been endorsed by Darwin.
Nativists used social Darwinism to justify their belief in racial superiority and to argue against immigration, particularly from non-white or non-Western countries. They believed that certain races were biologically inferior and that their assimilation into American society would weaken the nation. Social Darwinism provided a pseudo-scientific justification for their discriminatory views.
Horatio Alger's stories reflected the doctrines of Social Darwinism because they emphasized individual merit, hard work, and perseverance as the keys to success. This aligned with the belief in natural selection and survival of the fittest, where those who were industrious and ambitious would rise to the top of society. Alger's stories promoted the idea that individuals could improve their social standing through personal effort and determination, which resonated with the principles of Social Darwinism.
Social Darwinism was the idea of the late 1800's that survival of the human race was dependent on a person being the most qualified to survive. This would be based on their upbringing and their wealth. The rich would get richer and the poor would get poorer is the basic concept.
Social Darwinism extends the concept of the survival of the fittest from nature into society. Normally, one would expect Social Darwinists to favour competition and free entreprise with little regulation and to be fundamentlly hostile to welfare provision.