A Level History - America - Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Social Darwinism is the concept that applies the theory of survival of the fittest to society. This ideology emerged in the late 19th century and posited that human societies evolve through the same principles that govern natural selection. Advocates argued that the strongest individuals, groups, or nations would naturally prevail in social, political, and economic contexts, which justified inequality and the dominance of certain groups over others.

This concept often intersected with various social and political movements and was used to rationalize imperialism, racism, and laissez-faire economic policies. It suggested that social policies should not intervene in the competition among individuals and groups, as doing so would impede societal progress.

In contrast, industrialization refers to the shift towards mass production and factories that transformed economies, capitalism focuses on the economic system characterized by private ownership and free markets, and collectivism emphasizes collective ownership and shared resources. While these concepts might relate to societal dynamics, they do not specifically embody the application of natural selection principles to social hierarchies as Social Darwinism does.