During the late 19th century, what did social Darwinists believe?
Answer (2)
Social Darwinists sought to adapt Darwin's theories of natural selection to politics and society. The theory of natural selection is the idea that the strong survive and the weak of a species die off. Therefore, in the political or social realm those that believed in Social Darwinism did not believe in welfare programs or social programs to help society succeed, this theory largely believed in strict capitalist doctrine.
Social Darwinists in the late 19th century believed that the principles of natural selection applied to societies, arguing that competition led to social progress. They opposed welfare programs, asserting that such assistance undermined the natural order. Their ideas significantly influenced political and economic policies during a time of rapid social change.
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