remarks social observer Kenan Malik. “Perhaps in the end, an inflexibility of human nature constrains the potential of social change” (Malik, 1996, p. 36). In conclusion, Social Darwinism has contributed greatly to economic growth of the United States, leading its position as a powerful and wealthy industrial nation. A consumer driven capitalism that typifies Social Darwinism is a vital machine for producing goods and services based upon the concepts of free enterprise and democracy. However, it is clear that in doing so, Social Darwinism creates a severe gap between a privileged few and a growing number of people who are sorely unequaled in income and opportunity. Clearly, social welfare is a critical part of the equation in maintaining and preserving social bonds and social order in the United States in response to the prevailing Darwinian system of American society. If, however, as Malik observes, there is in fact a cap on America’s potential to create effective redresses, a sort of national natural selection, there may be a finite end to the ability of a social welfare to correct the negative influences of Social Darwinism. ReferencesBriggs, Vernon. (1998, June 1). American-Style Capitalism and Income Disparity: The Challenge of Social Anarchy. The Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. 32, 473 (8).Goldfield, David, Carl Abbott, Virginia DeJohn Anderson. (1998) The American Journey: A History of the United states. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.Klepper, Michael, Robert Gunther. (1998, Oct.) A Ranking of the Forty Wealthiest Americans of All Time. American Heritage, 56 (11).Malik, Kenan. (1996, Dec. 6) The Beagle Sails Back into Fashion: Renewed Interest in Social Darwinism. New Statesmen, Vol. 125, 35 (2).Soros, George. (1997, Feb.) The Capitalist Threat. Atlantic Monthly, 245, No. 2, 45 (2).Thurow, Lester. (1992). Head to Head: The Coming Economic Battle Among Japan, Europ...
