Social Darwinism is the term coined the late 19th century to describe idea that humans, like animals and , compete in a struggle for existence which natural selection results in "survival the fittest." Social Darwinists base their on theories of evolution developed by naturalist Charles Darwin. Some social Darwinists that governments should not interfere with competition by attempting to regulate the or cure social ills such as . Instead, they advocate a laissez-faire political economic system that favors competition and in social and business affairs. Social typically deny that they advocate a " of the jungle." But most propose that justify imbalances of power between , races, and nations because they consider people more fit to survive than .
The term social Darwinist is applied to anyone who interprets human society in terms of biology, struggle, competition, natural law (a philosophy based on are considered the permanent characteristics of nature). Social Darwinism characterizes a variety past and present social policies and , from attempts to reduce the power government to theories exploring the biological of human behavior. Many people believe the concept of social Darwinism explains philosophical rationalization behind racism, imperialism, and . The term has negative implications for people because they consider it a of compassion and social responsibility.