BIOL 3200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Social Darwinism
Document Summary
Laissez-faire economic theory developed by scottish philosopher adam smith (1723-1790) His book the wealth of nations (1776) argued against mercantilism (beliefs in benefits of profitable trading, commercialism) It was believed wealth of nations was derived from government-regulated exports, gold, silver, colonial expansion. Smith said wealth of nations was actually from labour within nations of. Said government intervention in trade industry was harmful. They needed unrestrained competition among businesses, desire for profits, individual freedom to make decisions. O(cid:374)e had to a(cid:272)t to pursue o(cid:374)e"s o(cid:449)(cid:374) e(cid:272)o(cid:374)o(cid:373)i(cid:272) i(cid:374)terest, this (cid:449)ould (cid:271)e i(cid:374) (cid:271)est interest of the entire community. Capitalists compete among themselves for consumers, decide what to produce and how much according to consumer demand: o (cid:862)(cid:374)atural la(cid:449)s(cid:863) regulated e(cid:272)o(cid:374)o(cid:373)i(cid:272) pro(cid:272)esses (cid:862)u(cid:374)fettered (cid:894)u(cid:374)(cid:271)ou(cid:374)d(cid:895) (cid:272)apitalis(cid:373)(cid:863) Herbert spencer (1820-1903) was a writer who exemplified social darwinism in a liberal manner. Used evolutionary theory to champion governmental non-intervention in (cid:862)(cid:374)atural la(cid:449)s(cid:863) of free (cid:373)arket.
