Question

Explain the concept of differentiation in the context of Spencer’s “social Darwinist” ideas. In what ways are all highly competitive social systems examples of a Social Darwinist perspective?

Answer 1

Spencer opposed any laws that helped workers, the poor, and those he deemed genetically weak. Such laws, he argued, would go against the evolution of civilization by delaying the extinction of the “unfit.” Unlike Darwin, Spencer believed that people could genetically pass learned qualities, such as frugality and morality, on to their children.

Social Darwinists believe in “survival of the fittest”—the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better. Social Darwinism has been used to justify imperialism, racism, eugenics and social inequality at various times over the past century and a half including all the competitions they faced and still are facing.