Wisconsin Protesters Resist Police Order To Leave Capitol
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Union leaders and other protesters say they plan to make a peaceful stand when police begin clearing out the state Capitol nearly two weeks after demonstrators first occupied the building.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/27/wisconsin-protesters-resist-police-capitol_n_828861.html
How does this relate to the backlash of Social Darwinism?
Social Darwinism is Spencer's idea that evolutionary forces are natural and that "survival of the fittest" essentially cannot be stopped. He believed that evolution must remain unchecked. This ties into the protests in Wisconsin because the Governor there is trying to take away some benefits from Union workers and they're not happy. Spencer believed that the government should not intervene with business practices such as these, although it could be in the best interest for every member of the society.
I think this might relate to social darwinism because the government is trying to take away individual rights of the workers (or maybe thought of as the less-adapt people) much like how social darwinism was played out by giving special rights to the rich and successful while undermining the poor or middle class. Obviously this creates a sort of backlash in any era-- so the union workers fight back to gain back their rights and respect.
Social Darwinism is a term for what Herbert Spencer came up with, the idea of "survival of the fittest." He said that only the people who were fit to rise to the top of society would make it. These people would then pass down these characteristics to their children and create more fit people for society. The people at the bottom of the society were there because they were unfit, either mentally or physically. Eventually John Dewey started a backlash against this Social Darwinism. He called for labor unions and government protective regulations. He thought the people at the bottom should be helped so they can achieve more success in life like the people at them top. He worked on creating schools that found the best ways to teach people, and thought that it was important that everyone have an education. This backlash is what started the rise of labor unions. These protected people's rights in certain industries and looks after the middle and lower classes. Wisconsin is trying to do away with unions which could have a detrimental effect on people working there. Their benefits may be taken away. This goes along the lines of how Herbert Spencer thought. He believed government should have a hands off policy and not interfere itself in business practices.
Social Darwinism was something that Herbert Spencer developed. It was that the people, animals, organisms that were best fit to survive in their environment would do so the best. This theory was applied to humans as well. The rich were rich because they were more fit to survive in their environment. They were smarter and adapted better, therefore they were paid better. John Dewey started a backlash for social Darwinism. He protected the middle class also the creating unions. This helped the people in the middle and lower class because the unions could negotiate and protect workers. This helped to ensure the people were not taken advantage of. Without unions the company can do whatever they want. The union is there to stand up to companies and say hey this isn’t right, you need to fix it. Spencer thought that the government needed to stay out of these issues because the group of people that had the strongest voice or power would prevail. That is Social Darwinism to the letter.
I feel that this is related to Social Darwinism because it kind of fits into to the idea that the best should survive and that certain traits should be continued and others should not be pass along. The government is trying to shut down union worker benefits which will hurt many of the lower paying class citizens. This fits into the Social Darwinism because they are in a way trying to take away benefits from the lower class people. This could cause more problems for the lower class citizens in finding ways to live and and support themselves. This in a way is increasing the likelihood that middle class and higher class citizens' traits will more likely be passed on.
I think this is a form of social darwinism when there is one croup of people who seem to be "dominant" over another group. The police and administration believe in one thing and when people do not agree then they are taken over by "higher forces". Because there was a group of people they maintained their position but if it would have been less numbers than authority of position will always rule the winner in situations where there is opposing views.
My best friend was actually in WI when this was happening- she said it was amazing to see how many people who united and traveled for the cause. I think it's like social Darwinism because rights are trying to be taken away- someone is trying to be more dominant over someone else. AKA, the best are being dominant and only the best survive. Without the union, the weakest won't survive and these companies ( the stronger) will come in and do whatever they want