What, in your own words, is Social Darwinism? How was it used to explain a variety of circumstances (e.g. economic and racial/ethnic) in the late 19th century? Do you hear any of the same sentiments echoed today? Evaluate the theory. Do you find it valid? Why or why not?
Social Darwinism in my words would essentially be surviving in a “dog-eat-dog world.” In other words a society in which one would merely look out for the benefit of oneself and do so at the cost of anything, and more importantly, anybody through exploitation and manipulation. In their twisted beliefs some believed that Darwinism should frame our society since theoretically it had already been successfully used by nature to create all of the organisms of the world.
Instead of viewing our neighbors as ruthless competition for survival should we not be viewing them as our brothers and sisters who can assist us in bettering society and this country? Personally I believe this theory of Social Darwinism arose when a few greedy elect decided to argue for their ‘rights’ or in other words their poor attempt at trying to evade taxation. In their attempt to grow richer and increase the gap in between the classes they played to the sensitive subjects of the time. They cried for protection of their “Free Market” and pushed ideology that the only way society could last, would be to dispose of the weak and to allow the strong to survive. Hearing these warnings right after a time of civil war would be able to convince most of giving it a try or at least becoming familiar with the subject.
In reality they wanted to ensure they could get laws created that would lock the government out of the market and allow them to exploit the workers while pushing them to their breaking limits. I do not believe this theory, termed Social Darwinism, would be successful in any way or form in society. They were correct in establishing the Earth only has a limited amount of resources; however, they were very wrong in believing they could keep everything for themselves without looking out for others in any way or form.
In my personal view we should have the obligation to help those less fortunate in our society. I feel as if it is like making a smart investment, by supporting them we are lifting them up and giving them a chance to contribute to society as we do; subsequently, one day they will be able to overcome their hardships and do as we did. One easy example would be college students who are receiving any kind of financial aid or scholarships who will one day be able to pay back their debts to society. Another could be the children who would not survive without the health care or food rations we provide and then one day grow up to be working class citizens.
In today’s society this selfish behavior and those trying to enforce it are seen almost everywhere. It is seen every time you see an injustice such that a worker is making disgustingly low wages while the company is gaining from their pain. Unfortunately their selfish actions prevent those at the bottom from ever moving up and showing their true potential that can never be released and used to help the society as a whole.
