The term "social darwinism" refers to a social theory that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is based on the concept of natural selection, as proposed by Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution. Social darwinism applies the idea of survival of the fittest to human societies and argues that those who are the most fit will survive and thrive, while the weaker individuals or groups will perish.Social darwinism suggests that social progress occurs through the competition between individuals and groups, and that this competition is necessary to maintain a strong and healthy society. It promotes the idea that social inequality is a natural outcome of this competition and that attempts to redistribute wealth or provide social welfare are detrimental to society.Critics of social darwinism argue that it promotes a "might makes right" mentality and justifies social inequality and exploitation. They argue that it ignores the role of social and economic factors in shaping outcomes and that it can be used to justify discriminatory practices.Overall, social darwinism is an ideology that promotes the idea that competition and the survival of the fittest are essential for societal progress and that social inequality is a natural and necessary outcome of this process.