Social Security and Its Enemies: An Examination of Social Darwinism

This study aims to examine and critically evaluate Social Darwinist thinkers and approaches that criticize the social security system, which was established to protect people who are disadvantaged in society for various reasons, in favor of the powerful. Criticism of social security systems emerged in the second half of the nineteenth century, when these systems were first introduced. Social Darwinist approaches, based primarily on Darwin’s idea of evolution through natural selection, criticized the social security system in favor of the powerful before World War II and after the war for reasons such as enabling individuals to realize their full potential and not be dependent. Moreover, during the interwar period, eugenic policies were pursued through a method that could be called “negative social security,” and sick, weak, and powerless people in society were sterilized. While it was believed that societies would develop and progress through this method, it is seen that fundamental rights and freedoms were violated. As a result of historical experience, criticisms of social security, particularly those based on Social Darwinism, have led to ethical problems. Therefore, it should not be forgotten that social security is a fundamental human right, and that it should have limits so as not to lead to dependency and to enable people to realize their full potential. Otherwise, policies that favor the powerful will undermine social health rather than ensure social development.