Social Darwinism, Research Paper Example

Social Darwinism is recognized as a term that is attributed to various theories about society. The concept was first used during the nineteenth century and grew in popularity in North America and the United Kingdom during the twentieth century. While many attribute Social Darwinism to Charles Darwin, the term has little to do with the English scientist in actuality. Darwin and his evolutionary theory can, however, be credited with the overarching concept attached to Social Darwinism, which is emergence.

Charles Darwin presented his idea of evolution and natural selection in 1859. The scientist, in collaboration with Alfred Russel Wallace, published The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, which presents the theory of all species descending over time. There was no divine intervention, according to Darwin, in the establishment of life on earth but rather a set of universal laws that brought things into existence. The world’s current state is the result of natural selection in which the struggle to survive is a matter of being strong enough. Such is the reason why certain species have become extinct over time. The pattern of evolution has a way of producing more efficient creatures.

While every scientist did not agree with Darwin, many agreed that his Origin of Species presented a challenge to the dominant beliefs of the time that stressed the idea of the universe being created by a supreme being. Perhaps such is the reason why Thomas Henry Huxley introduced the term Darwinism during his review of the literary work in 1860. The intellectual classified everything that Darwin said in his book as a new ideology. Huxley carried out the mission of evolution, which is to develop over time, by deeming Darwinism as an idea that encompasses various theories.

Richard Hofstader, a historian from the United States, further expanded the field of Social Darwinism in 1944 by using the term to fight against fascism. Whereas fascism held to the idea of dictatorship, Hofstadter was a firm believer that democracy was a better way to conduct business in society. As a result, the historian presented his theory that encouraged competitiveness and racism, and classified it as a concept that grew from Social Darwinism.

Although many claim that Hofstadter was wrong in his observation of Social Darwinism, it must be admitted that the historian was not completely erroneous in his thought patterns. After all, Darwin stressed the idea of survival of the fittest which presents the idea of competition being necessary for a group of species to survive. Hofstadter, in a way, makes the same claim by saying that a bit of prejudice does the universe good. After all, there would be little satisfaction in life if all species were equal. Furthermore, placing one group above the next is the only way to maintain order.

In comparing Darwin’s theory in Origin of Species with the abundance of ideas that are now classified under the umbrella of Social Darwinism, the pattern of natural selection is discovered. Although the concept was established several decades ago, Social Darwinism is ever-evolving and adapting to societal changes. While the idea has little, if anything, to do with Charles Darwin, the concept is the best way to describe the variations that take place in society.

Such is especially true when discussing social class. Those is the aristocrat group are deemed as most fit and, therefore, dominant. Individuals with less wealth tend to have a smaller amount of influence and are eventually not included in the central circle of friends. Some would argue that such is how the class system works. Those who study Social Darwinism, however, understand that coincidence has little to do with the opportunities that individuals receive in life. As with survival of the fittest, the wealthy manage to use their influence to remain at the top of the chain, while the poor continue to rely on the kindness of others until they are completely excluded from society.

Works Cited

Darwin, Charles. The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection. University of Virginia. 1859. Print.

Geary, Daniel. ‘Richard Hofstadter Reconsidered.’  Reviews in American History Volume 35, Number 3. 2007. Web. https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/reviews_in_american_history/v035/35.3geary.html

Leonard, Thomas C. ‘Origins of the myth of social Darwinism: The ambiguous legacy of Richard Hofstadter’s Social Darwinism in American Thought.’ Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization. Princeton University. 2007. Web. http://www.princeton.edu/~tleonard/papers/myth.pdf