Final answer:
The assertion that Social Darwinism has not been utilized to justify social inequalities and various forms of oppression throughout history is false. It has been used to endorse imperialism, racism, and eugenics by improperly extending Darwin's evolutionary theories to human societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Social Darwinism has never been used to justify imperialism, racism, eugenics, and social inequality is false. Social Darwinism, a concept derived from a misapplication of Darwin's evolutionary theory, was co-opted to justify various forms of discrimination and oppression. Notably, Herbert Spencer, who advocated for the survival of the fittest, influenced many to believe that societal success and power results from superior breeding. This provided the pseudo-scientific backing for class distinctions and the perception that the affluent deserved their wealth, while the impoverished deserved their plight due to their alleged inferior biological traits.
Moreover, unilinear cultural evolution (UCE) complemented Social Darwinism, by suggesting that societies evolve linearly and justifying the idea that Western cultures were superior. This set of beliefs underpinned colonialist attitudes, rationalizing the domination and exploitation of other nations and cultures. Social Darwinists argued that conquered peoples would benefit from the 'civilizing' effect of colonizers, reinforcing the premise of cultural and racial superiority. This ideology fueled eugenics movements and institutionalized racism, which had profound social implications, until falling into disrepute in the 1930s and 1940s.