Dick Robinson: Will’s ‘social Darwinism’

Regarding George Will’s Oct. 19 column in defense of economic inequality: Will begins with a “straw man” that distorts the position of those who raise the alarm about economic inequality. Contrary to his allegation, progressives do not seek to eliminate differences in income and wealth by somehow imposing economic equality across the board. Rather, within the context of a capitalist economy, they advocate measures intended to accomplish a more equitable distribution of wealth that can sustain a decent standard of living for all persons throughout the diverse social spectrum.

Will comes perilously close to advocating a species of “social Darwinism” in which the “fittest” (those who manage to amass a fortune) survive, and the rest are left to unremitting adversity. Thus, in Will’s world view, unfettered “freedom” to pursue one’s economic self-interest trumps any other consideration. And anyone who complains about an outcome in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is simply displaying envy.

Poor old George is having a hard time ignoring the fact that the “I’ve got mine, Jack, and the heck with the rest of you” mentality is threatening the essential social, economic and political fabric of the nation.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Dick Robinson: Will’s ‘social Darwinism’."