Question 111

A Social Darwinist would support a governmental policy of laissez-faire toward business.

Social Darwinists advocate for minimal government intervention in economic matters, believing that natural competition should determine the success or failure of businesses. This laissez-faire approach aligns with their ideology of survival of the fittest in a capitalist society.

A) A graduated income tax

A graduated income tax is designed to impose higher tax rates on those with higher incomes, which contradicts the Social Darwinist belief in minimal government intervention and the idea that wealth accumulation should not be penalized. Social Darwinists would typically oppose such a measure, as it involves government regulation of personal finances.

B) Building and sanitation codes in low-income housing

Implementing building and sanitation codes reflects a government role in regulating conditions for the welfare of individuals, especially in lower-income areas. Social Darwinists would likely view this as an unnecessary intervention that disrupts the natural social order and competition.

C) A governmental policy of laissez-faire toward business

This option embodies the core of Social Darwinism, which promotes the idea that businesses should operate without government interference to allow the strongest to thrive. This belief is fundamental to their philosophy, supporting the notion that economic success results from natural selection.

D) Government assistance for people who have disabilities

Social Darwinists typically believe that assistance undermines the natural competitive process, suggesting that aiding those with disabilities detracts from the survival of the fittest principle. Therefore, they would not support government assistance programs.

E) Regulation of trade by state and federal agencies

Regulating trade involves government control over economic activities, which directly opposes the laissez-faire principles upheld by Social Darwinists. They would see such regulation as an impediment to free competition and natural market evolution.

Conclusion

The choice of a governmental policy of laissez-faire toward business is consistent with Social Darwinist beliefs that advocate for minimal interference in economic activities, allowing competition to determine outcomes. In contrast, all other options involve forms of government intervention or assistance that Social Darwinists would oppose, as these contradict their fundamental principles of competition and natural selection.