Final answer:
The apartheid system in South Africa was inspired by Social Darwinism, a theory that justified racial segregation and class divisions as natural due to the "survival of the fittest" ideology. It was not influenced by Marxism, Neo-Marxism, or World Systems Theory.The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The apartheid system in South Africa was not inspired by Marxism, Neo-Marxism, or World Systems Theory. Instead, it was strongly influenced by Social Darwinism, a theory based on a distorted interpretation of Charles Darwin's theories. Social Darwinism is the belief that human advancement is best served by allowing those deemed as "more fit" (in a social and economic sense) to prosper while those who are "less fit" find themselves without assistance, and thus less likely to pass on their traits or succeed in society. This ideology was used to justify the severe class and racial divisions that apartheid instituted, suggesting that the racial segregation was natural or acceptable.
During apartheid, the South African government created policies that enforced racial segregation and reinforced the dominance of the white minority over the black majority. Social Darwinism's notion of the "survival of the fittest" was used as a justification for the racial discrimination and systematic oppression of non-white South Africans. This set the stage for immense social and class divides that benefitted the landowners, mining executives, and social elite who controlled the wealth and power in South Africa, while the majority of the population, comprised of non-white ethnic groups, faced severe economic and civil limitations.