Progress and Poverty · Chapter
I: The Current Theory of Human Progress—Its Insufficiency explained
This chapter examines the prevailing theory of human progress as a form of evolution driven by survival of the fittest and hereditary transmission, arguing that it fails to account for civilizations that have stagnated after reaching high l
What happens
This chapter examines the prevailing theory of human progress as a form of evolution driven by survival of the fittest and hereditary transmission, arguing that it fails to account for civilizations that have stagnated after reaching high levels of development, such as those in India and China. The author critiques the fatalistic implications of this theory and questions its sufficiency in explaining the persistence of poverty amid advancing wealth.
Themes in this chapter
Human Progress and Civilization
The chapter critically examines the dominant theory of human progress as evolution, questioning its sufficiency and its inability to explain stagnant civilizations.
Social Justice and Equality
Implicitly addresses the persistence of want and misery in modern civilization, linking the critique of progress theory to broader concerns about inequality.
Characters to notice
- Herbert Spencer
Cited as a key proponent of the development philosophy, describing civilization as a progress from indefinite homogeneity to definite heterogeneity.
- Walter Bagehot
Mentioned as an expounder of the development philosophy who attempts to explain the stagnation of civilizations.
- Charles Darwin
Referenced in relation to the spread of evolutionary ideas following 'Origin of Species'.
Key passages
“The current philosophy, though it clearly recognizes the existence of such a law, gives no more satisfactory account of it than the current political economy does of the persistence of want amid advancing wealth.”
The prevailing theory of progress is as inadequate at explaining human development as standard economics is at explaining why poverty continues despite growing wealth.
The author draws a parallel between the insufficiency of progress theory and the failure of political economy to address poverty.
“The practical outcome of this theory is in a sort of hopeful fatalism, of which current literature is full.”
The theory leads to a passive acceptance of change, as if progress is inevitable regardless of human effort.
Critique of the fatalistic implications of the development philosophy.