What does social Darwinism primarily assert?

Social Darwinism primarily asserts that societal progress results from competition among social groups. This theory applies the concept of natural selection, which originated in biological contexts, to social and economic issues. Proponents of Social Darwinism believed that in the struggle for existence, stronger individuals and groups would naturally prevail over the weaker ones, leading to the advancement of society as a whole.

This idea was often used to justify social inequalities and to advocate for policies that favored laissez-faire capitalism, where minimal government intervention was seen as beneficial because it allowed for the natural competition to take place. Advocates argued that just as species evolve through competition, human societies also evolve through the same process.

While options focused on moral advancement, government intervention, and technological progress may touch upon factors that influence societal growth, they do not encapsulate the central tenet of Social Darwinism, which is the emphasis on competition as the driver of societal evolution and success.