Social Darwinism: Impact on Economic Systems

1. With which side of the issue do you agree? Why? The issue is whether people are poor because of personal failing or as a result of the unfair nature of the economic systems.

2. Social Darwinism • Herbert Spencer, a British philosopher, developed the theory of Social Darwinism based on a corrupted view of Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection. • Spencer believed society improved because the strongest and most intelligent survived. Social Darwinism’s motto became “survival of the fittest.” • According to Social Darwinism, the most “fit” were white, industrialized societies such as the United States and Great Britain. • In business, the doctrine of laissez-faire economics followed similar lines. This belief opposed government interference with business. • Industrialist Andrew Carnegie developed a theory called the Gospel of Wealth. He believed wealthy Americans should create conditions that would allow the poor to help themselves.

3. Social Darwinism • How might the ideas of Social Darwinism have shaped the nation’s social and economic practices? • The idea that people should help themselves discouraged the creation of widespread social programs that would have helped the poor. They may also note that it contributed to a lack of government interference in business, keeping regulations low and encouraging the growth of large corporations.

4. Critics of Social Darwinism • Many Americans argued that the government must take an active role in economic affairs and in assisting the poor. • Henry George, a journalist, believed laissez-faire economics ruined society rather than improved it. He argued that the gap between the rich and the poor must be closed. • Lester Frank Ward argued that humans were superior to animals due to the ability to plan ahead and affect change. This view was known as Reform Darwinism. Reform Darwinists believed success was built upon humans’ abilities to cooperate, while competition wasted human energy and resources. • Writer Edward Bellamy promoted socialism and believed that all wealth had to be equally shared among Americans. • Naturalists such as Jack London criticized industrial society, suggesting that sometimes people’s failures were the result of uncontrollable circumstances.

5. Discussion •  What do you think were the most important social, political, and economic issues that emerged during the Gilded Age? • The roles of emerging popular culture, Social Darwinism, or laissez-faire economics.