Social Darwinism: Meaning and Definition of

So'cial Dar'winism

Pronunciation: [key]
— Sociol. Sociol.
  1. a 19th-century theory, inspired by Darwinism, by which the social order is accounted as the product of natural selection of those persons best suited to existing living conditions and in accord with which a position of laissez-faire is advocated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.