Question

passage 6: social darwinism in the gilded age
\society, like nature, rewards the strongest and the most capable. interference through charity or reform only weakens the race and delays progress.\ -- herbert spencer 1884
how did social darwinism influence economic policies?
a it justified laissez - faire capitalism and opposed government regulation.
b it supported income equality through wealth redistribution.
c it called for progressive taxation.
d it promoted labor unions and strikes.

Explanation:

Social Darwinism applied the concept of "survival of the fittest" from biological evolution to society. In the economic context, it was used to justify laissez - faire capitalism. Laissez - faire capitalism advocates minimal government intervention in the economy. The quote in the passage ("interference through charity or reform only weakens the race and halts progress") implies opposition to government - led efforts (like regulation, which could be seen as a form of interference).

• Option B: Social Darwinism did not support income equality. It was more about the "fit" (those who were economically successful) thriving, not redistributing wealth to create equality.
• Option C: Progressive taxation (where the wealthy pay a higher proportion of their income in taxes) is a form of government intervention and wealth redistribution, which Social Darwinism would oppose.
• Option D: Labor unions and strikes can be seen as forms of collective action (which might be considered interference in the "natural" order of the economy according to Social Darwinist logic) to improve workers' conditions. Social Darwinism, which was often used to defend the status quo of capitalist hierarchies, would not promote them.

Answer:

A. It justified laissez - faire capitalism and opposed government regulation.