CL - Social Darwinism Flashcards
How do classical liberals tend to explain social circumstances?
In terms of talents and hard work of each individual human being. Those with a willingness to work will prosper the incompetent or lazy will not
What did Samuel Smiles say?
Heaven helps those who help themselves
What did Richard Cobden advocate?
An improvement of the conditions of the working classes
How did Cobden argue the improvement to conditions of the working classes be improved?
Through their own efforts and self reliance rather than from the law
Give the significant Cobden quote
Look not to Parliament look only to yourselves
What did Spencer develop?
A defence of the doctrine of laissez-faire drawing on the ideas that Darwin developed.
What did Darwin say?
Some changes enable a species to survive, while others make survival impossible
What happened to Darwinian ideas by the end of the 19th century?
They had extended beyond biology and were increasingly affecting social and political theory
What did Spencer say about success?
Those who are best suited by nature to survive, rise to the top while the less fit fall to the bottom
What are the implications of Spencer’s view in relation to inequality?
Inequalities of wealth, social position and political power are natural and inevitable and no attempt should be made by government to interfere with them.
What did Sumner say?
The drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be
