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Darwin and Karl Marx in China

by Rit Nosotro

Change Over Time essay

"Explain how Karl Marx was influenced by Charles Darwin in the formation of scientific socialism. How did Social Darwinism play out in China?"

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Thesis:

Summary:

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Born in 1818 in Germany, Karl Marx was to become a leading political and economic philosopher. Just as Charles Darwin claimed that animal species were not doomed to remain as they were but could rather evolve into something better, Karl Marx applied this theory to society. Darwin stated that a lower species could adapt to its surroundings and eventually dominate the stronger, larger, or more aggressive of the group, giving rise to a new type of animal altogether.

Marx introduced the idea of “scientific socialism” by claiming that social classes would inevitably conflict, based on the individual agenda of each. The higher classes would exploit the lower classes for their own gain, he stated. Then, one of the exploited classes would rise up and overthrow one of the dominant classes. In this way the oppressed gained control over the oppressor. In the end, he predicted that the power would eventually shift to no one class over another and the result would be Communism, where each class was equal and there would be no real government.

Marx was also actively involved in promoting Social Darwinism. What exactly is Social Darwinism? According to Webster it is: “an extension of Darwinism to social phenomena; specifically : a theory in sociology: sociocultural advance is the product of intergroup conflict and competition and the socially elite classes (as those possessing wealth and power) possess biological superiority in the struggle for existence.” Social Darwinism has two basic components:
1. “Society is subject to natural selection. Therefore, there is a hierarchy according to power and wealth. Since natural selection acts upon genetic factors, the poor must be genetically inferior.”
2. “The most biologically fit races will be dominant over the weaker races. Through competition and war, humanity will advance.” (Social Darwinism)

At the time when Darwin’s Origin of Species was published, China was basically isolated from its influence. 40 years later, however, a man by the name of Yen Fu became convinced that China must become acquainted with the philosophy of Social Darwinism in order that the country might survive by its own power, not relying on uncontrollable events or “destiny”. Educated in England, Yen Fu was to become the most famous Social Darwinist in China. His message was well received by the Chinese and eventually they worked toward a reformation involving many aspects of their overall society. (China)

The 1890’s were a period of reform for China as well as a time of great scrutinization of its present philosophies. Liang Ch'i-ch'ao, an influential spokesperson for the reform movement, used many techniques to “build up” the self image of the Chinese. One of these techniques involved promoting racism against whites. He argued that the United States would never be able to conquer the world, and that indeed it would the men of China who would eventually populate and rule much of the world. Using this and other political propaganda, Ch'i-ch'ao filled in his arguments with ideas taken from Social Darwinism, which served to convince the people that authorities had weakened the people and thus they turned toward a Democratic government. Liang Ch'i-ch'ao fled China when the Manchu Empress Dowager attempted to subdue the reform movement; however, he continued to publish writings that were secretly imported to the people of China. The citizens eventually revolted against the Manchu and the result was a constant warring of powers over the next 50 years. (China)

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QuickQuiz:
1) Who was the most famous Social Darwinist in China?
a) Chang Lee
b) Yen Fu
c) Fen Fen
d) Boi Chue

2) What did Liang Ch'i-ch'ao popularize?
a) Racism
b) Dieting
c) Cross-stitching
d) Reading the Bible

3) According to the article, to what is society subject?
a) destiny
b) circumstance
c) the alignment of the stars
d) natural selection

4) Communism involves what?
a) A struggle for supremacy
b) Equal classes for everyone
c) Mostly lower class citizens
d) Sacrificing caterpillars

Bibliography:

China. 14 Jan 2004. Harvey Mudd College. 24 Jan 2004
<http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~sdiverdi/hum/content.html>.

New Standard Encylopedia. 1992.

Social Darwinism. 14 Jan 2004. Harvey Mudd College. 24 Jan 2004
<http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~sdiverdi/hum/content.html>.

Additional information about <http://hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/cot/t4w29marxchina.htm>

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