Social Darwinism is identified as the incorporation of articulated Darwin theories, such as the evolution theory, natural selection, and gradualism, as they are majorly biological theories. According to the social hierarchy, only those who possess specific traits are worthy of surviving in today’s world, which means proponents of social Darwinism believe in natural selection (Rogers, 2). Even though the notion of Darwinism predated the social Darwinism advancement of the 19th century, the theory known as Darwinism has found practical application in sociology and politics to become known as social Darwinism and acquired millions of believers all over the globe. However, Darwinism’s natural selection describes the emergence of new species and the demise of the old ones, defining species in the process. Though Darwinism and social Darwinism are closely related, many differences appear during the applications.
There are many beliefs how social Darwinists believe that when a person is naturally better in society, they, however, become more powerful than the rest of the people. Darwinism theory was a better selection in the 19th century by many scientific learners as they articulated that; the theory fitted most of the required ethical standards, and it was neutral without inborn social application (Rogers, 267). In the same concept of Darwinism, social Darwinism has some relation, but differences can be identified.
In the latter 19th century, social Darwinism began to gain greater traction in Britain. Policies and practices that displayed social structures at home and in society attested to the influence of social Darwinism in Britain at this time. Cruelty and imperialism in society, for instance, that was rationalized by social Darwinism, is an example According to Spencer, competition between social groupings ultimately dictated the course of human wealth and social progress (Rogers, 15). During the 19th century, social Darwinism gained traction among the American public. This was because academics and unscrupulous businesspeople sought justification for their behavior in the capitalist United States. The business people and academics of the day felt that the key to success was making the most of the chances presented to them. To explain this phenomenon, the idea of the “survival of the fittest” gained traction.
Many governments established in the 20th century used social Darwinism as a guiding philosophy for growth. This occurred before the World War I broke out. The colonial period is often cited as an illustrative example of social Darwinism. During this period, governments and nations wish to successfully use social Darwinism to justify their pursuit of resources and progress. During the 20th century’s period of global conflict, social Darwinism lent its support to colonialism abroad. Social groupings seen as stronger are more successful at subduing those perceived to be weaker. As in the modern era, where people of different races, ethnicities, and nationalities live, many struggles to fight against racial discrimination (Roger, 11). Stronger societies, countries, or governments take resources from less developed nations. Additionally, vulnerable social groups and communities were subjected to military authority and operations. Communities, philosophers, and businesspeople utilize socialism to rationalize their exploitative behavior toward the poor.
In conclusion, the Darwinism theory that was effective in the 19th century has also been deployed in the current 20th century. This is because how the current world is still using Darwinism theories and philosophical ideas to articulate that for the human race to survive, it has to be intelligent and powerful. Therefore, in the current world, we still reproduce this theory because the idea of “survival of the fittest” in the human race has to struggle for them to exist.
Works Cited
Rogers, James Allen. “Darwinism and social Darwinism.” Journal of the History of Ideas 33.2 (1972): 265-280.
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