William Graham Sumner (1840-1910) was the leading American advocate of Social Darwinism. He was a professor of sociology at Yale University. As a sociologist, his major accomplishments were developing the concepts of diffusion, folkways, and ethnocentrism. Sumner's work with folkways led him to conclude that attempts at reform were useless. He was a staunch advocate of laissez-faire economics, arguing that the practices of the Gilded Age were rather plutocracy.
Quotes
- There are two chief things with which government has to deal. They are the property of men and the honor of women.
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Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04