Final answer:
Social Darwinism is the fundamental ideology closely aligned with Darwinism, suggesting that societal success is determined by inherent traits and the ability to adapt. Influential figures such as Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner propagated this view, which has since been discredited for justifying societal and racial inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fundamental ideology closely aligned with Darwinism is social Darwinism. This concept was initially expounded upon by political philosopher Herbert Spencer, who coined the phrase "survival of the fittest." Spencer applied Darwinian principles of natural selection to human societies, suggesting that individuals and races with certain favorable traits were more likely to succeed in society. However, Charles Darwin did not endorse this social application of his biological theories.
Social Darwinism was embraced by many during the 19th and early 20th centuries to justify societal hierarchies and imperialistic practices. It posited that human advancement would be facilitated if those who were less competitive in society were not supported, thus preventing them from passing on inferior traits. Over time, the ideology was used to rationalize classism, racism, and colonialism. Eventually, social Darwinism was discredited, especially as the flawed and racist theories of eugenics emerged.
William Graham Sumner, a sociologist at Yale, became a vocal proponent of social Darwinism, which asserted that societal evolution occurred through competition and natural selection. Critics of social Darwinism argued that the ideology falsely claimed an equal playing field where success was purely a product of biological superiority.