Social Darwinism applied Darwin's theory to human societies, justifying competition and inequality. It shaped economic policies and led to concerns over wealth concentration.
Social Darwinism was a belief system that applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that competition and inequality were natural and should be encouraged. It was a significant trademark of the 'American way of life' during the Gilded Age, embraced by wealthy industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.
Under social Darwinism, the idea of 'survival of the fittest' was used to justify practices such as monopolies, ruthless competition, and the accumulation of vast wealth. This philosophy shaped economic policies, fostering a laissez-faire approach that allowed big businesses like the Carnegie Steel Company and Standard Oil Company to thrive.
While social Darwinism led to economic growth, it also sparked concerns over wealth concentration and exploitation, prompting calls for government intervention to regulate business activities and curb the power of industrial elites.
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