Questions and Answers
How does Sumner understand the category of nature?
Sumner understands the category of nature as a reality that we have no control over, explained using the social Darwinism theory: survival of the fittest.
What is the significance of the distinction between 'ills which belong to the struggle for existence' and those which are due to the faults of human institutions according to Sumner?
The distinction is to delineate the ills that can be remedied and those that should not.
What do the social classes owe to each other according to Sumner?
They owe each other mutual respect, and mutual guarantee of liberty and security.
What assumptions underlie Sumner's argument that individuals who cannot support themselves ought not to share in political power?
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What does Sumner mean when he claims that the term 'poor man' is elastic?
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What is the distinction between contract and status according to Sumner?
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Upon what is the social structure of the United States based according to Sumner?
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What is freedom for Sumner?
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What is Sumner's attitude toward the aggregation of large fortunes?
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What is the relationship between plutocracy and democracy according to Sumner?
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To whom is Sumner referring when he talks about 'meddlers'?
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What does Sumner's claim that society does not need care or supervision assume about society?
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Study Notes
Understanding Nature
- Sumner views nature as an uncontrollable reality, relating it to the social Darwinism principle of "survival of the fittest."
Significance of Ills
- Distinguishes between natural ills, which stem from the struggle for existence, and those created by human institutions, highlighting which can be remedied and which cannot.
Social Class Responsibilities
- Social classes are expected to maintain mutual respect and guarantee each other's liberty and security, emphasizing the importance of goodwill among them.
Political Power and Contribution
- Argues that individuals who cannot contribute to society should not share in political power, based on assumptions that everyone can contribute and that democracy involves a material cost.
Concept of the "Poor Man"
- Describes "poor man" as an elastic term that can mean various things and argues it obscures societal fallacies.
Contract vs. Status in Society
- A society based on contract is characterized as free and transient, allowing for individual autonomy, contrasting with societies defined by status.
Social Structure of the United States
- Claims the US social structure is contract-based, aligning with Tocqueville and Goldman, while opposing views from Marx, Gilman, Stanton, and Douglass.
Definition of Freedom
- Defines freedom as the ability for individuals to maximize their potential and exclusively enjoy their accomplishments.
Aggregation of Fortunes
- Maintains a favorable view of large fortunes, considering them essential for various forms of social advancement.
Plutocracy vs. Democracy
- Identifies democracy as the antagonist of plutocracy, emphasizing a critical relationship between the two.
Meddlers and Institutions
- Refers to "meddlers" as institutions attempting to address inequality, suggesting a critique of interventionist approaches.
Society's Self-Regulation
- Claims society requires no care or supervision, which assumes individuals possess personal responsibility.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of Sumner's views on nature and social Darwinism through these study questions. This quiz focuses on understanding the distinctions he makes regarding human institutions and the struggles for existence.
