Social Darwinism was a popular philosophy in the late 19th century that justified social and economic inequalities as "survival of the fittest". However, Lester Frank Ward believed society could be improved through human intelligence and government that was influenced by its people. Ward argued in books like Dynamic Sociology that an engaged populace could work with government to progress civilization, unlike Social Darwinism which saw success as pre-determined. The two philosophies thus presented opposing views of whether social hierarchy was inevitable or could be changed.

1. Social Darwinism &
Lester Frank Ward
By: Maeko Maja

2. Social Darwinism
• Popular in the late 19th century due to its appeal to industrial giants, Social
Darwinism has the influence of Darwin’s theory of evolution. It states that,
just as in evolution, in society, the theory of “survival of the fittest” is
present. Only those fit and talented enough could thrive in the business
industry of America.
• Herbert Spencer claimed that “society…benefited from the elimination of
the unfit and the survival of the strong and talented (1).”

3. Social Darwinism’s Influence On American
Society
• Social Darwinism was accepted and spread in the late nineteenth century as the industrial period
graced America, and industrial giants became present.
• Social Darwinism helped these wealthy men justify and make sense of the position they stood on,
that they were where they were because it was meant to be that way. It is “the law of nature and a
law of God,” as Rockefeller once said. Industrialists also claim that this is one of the reasons why
they reject unions and riots, it is because the giants on top are inevitable, and it is a waste to
spend time on trying to change that.
• And while these big leaders relied on this philosophy, it was never based on reality as they would
eliminate and buy out their competition, while this philosophy actually encouraged competition.
• Social Darwinism gave industrial leaders a philosophy and beliefs to fall back on and explain their
power and the hierarchy that existed.

4. Lester Frank Ward
• Lester Frank Ward believed that society could be changed with the help of
human intelligence. As long as the people communicated with their
government and that the government were under positive influences towards
the direction the society aims to go, then civilization would blossom. He
explained this philosophy in his books, particularly in Dynamic Sociology.

5. Lester Frank Ward’s Philosophy's Influence On
American Society
• This philosophy, while it strayed away from the business aspect of the society and
touched on it as a whole, impacted society as it is the general belief we currently
have today. Especially in the late nineteenth century in which many took up Social
Darwinism, which states that everything has an inevitability. This philosophy
encouraged, and still currently encourages people to go out and vote and the like, as
it gave the people the belief that they could have the power to change the
government they were under. It is through the combined intelligence of the
population, or the people, that society can go through a different path. It is also
somewhat connected to other philosophies that believed that things could change as
long as people believed they had the power and the will, which is completely
different from Social Darwinism, that accentuates inevitability.

6. Comparison & Contrasting
• A difference worth noting between these two philosophies is that Social Darwinism
held beliefs that social giants were there because their positions were inevitable.
They are where they are and they are staying where they are due to the “law of
nature.” However, Ward believed in the belief that society could change through the
power of intelligence. Social Darwinism supports the belief that people are where
they are because they were fated to be so. Ward supported the idea of change, his
philosophy believed in a dynamic society, unlike the industrialists of Social
Darwinism. Furthermore, while Social Darwinism supports competition between
industries, Ward believed that it wasn’t until the people came together as a whole
could they change the government, and overall, their society. There is not much
similarities between them other than the fact they truly had hold on American
society all the same in ethos and in business philosophy.

7. Sources
• Brinkley, Alan. American History: Connecting with the Past. McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PSM_V83_D102_Lester_Frank_Ward.png (3)
• Sage, Henry J. “‘The Richest Man in the World’ - John D. Rockefeller, Sr.” The Gilded Age:
1865-1900, sageamericanhistory.net/gildedage/topics/rockefeller.html. (1)
• “Social Darwinism.” Distorting History - Civicintelligence,
wikis.evergreen.edu/civicintelligence/index.php/Social_Darwinism. (2)
• Ward, Lester Frank. “Dynamic Sociology, Vol. 2 : Or Applied Social Science as Based Upon
Statical Sociology and the Less Complex Sciences (Classic Reprint).” Bookdepository.com, Gill,
26 July 2017, www.bookdepository.com/Dynamic-Sociology-Vol-2-Lester-Frank-
Ward/9781330269602 (4)