Summary of William Graham Sumner's Life, Influences, Contributions, and Legacy
Life (1840–1910)
William Graham Sumner was born on October 30, 1840, in Paterson, New Jersey. He studied at Yale University and later in Europe, where he was influenced by German historical economics. Sumner became a prominent sociologist, economist, and political scientist, spending most of his academic career at Yale. He was a leading figure in the development of American sociology and a staunch advocate of laissez-faire economics and social Darwinism. Sumner died on April 12, 1910, in Englewood, New Jersey.
Works and Thinkers That Inspired Sumner
Sumner's ideas were shaped by a combination of intellectual, economic, and social influences:
- Herbert Spencer: Spencer's social Darwinism and advocacy of laissez-faire economics deeply influenced Sumner's thinking on social evolution and individualism.
- Adam Smith: Smith's ideas about free markets and the invisible hand informed Sumner's economic philosophy.
- Thomas Malthus: Malthus's theories on population growth and resource scarcity influenced Sumner's views on social competition and survival.
- Charles Darwin: Darwin's theory of natural selection provided a scientific foundation for Sumner's social Darwinism.
- John Stuart Mill: Mill's utilitarianism and emphasis on individual liberty resonated with Sumner's advocacy of minimal government intervention.
Sumner's Most Seminal Contributions
William Graham Sumner made significant contributions to sociology, economics, and political science. His most influential contributions include:
- Social Darwinism:
-
Sumner applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to human society, arguing that social competition and the survival of the fittest were natural and beneficial processes. He believed that social inequality was inevitable and that attempts to interfere with natural selection would harm society.
-
Folkways and Mores:
-
In Folkways (1906), Sumner introduced the concepts of folkways (customary practices) and mores (moral norms), which he argued were the foundation of social order and cultural evolution.
-
Laissez-Faire Economics:
-
Sumner was a staunch advocate of laissez-faire economics, arguing that government intervention in the economy was harmful and that free markets were the best mechanism for achieving social progress.
-
The Forgotten Man:
-
Sumner's concept of the "forgotten man" referred to the ordinary, hardworking individual who bears the cost of government policies and social reforms. He argued that these individuals were often overlooked in favor of more vocal interest groups.
-
Critique of Socialism and Reform:
- Sumner was a vocal critic of socialism and progressive reforms, which he believed undermined individual responsibility and economic freedom. He argued that such policies would lead to dependency and social decay.
Key Works
- What Social Classes Owe to Each Other (1883): A defense of laissez-faire economics and individualism.
- Folkways (1906): Explores the role of customs and norms in shaping social behavior and cultural evolution.
- The Forgotten Man and Other Essays (1918): A collection of essays on economics, politics, and society.
- The Science of Society (1927, with Albert Galloway Keller): A comprehensive treatise on sociology and social evolution.
Prominent Thinkers Influenced by Sumner
Sumner's ideas have had a profound impact on sociology, economics, and political science. Key thinkers influenced by his work include:
- Herbert Spencer: While Spencer influenced Sumner, Sumner's work also reinforced and popularized Spencer's ideas in the United States.
- Thorstein Veblen: Veblen engaged critically with Sumner's social Darwinism and laissez-faire economics in his own work on institutional economics.
- William James: James's pragmatism and emphasis on individual experience were influenced by Sumner's focus on social evolution and cultural norms.
- Ayn Rand: Rand's advocacy of individualism and laissez-faire capitalism drew on Sumner's ideas about economic freedom and minimal government intervention.
- Milton Friedman: Friedman's work on free markets and limited government was influenced by Sumner's laissez-faire philosophy.
Legacy
William Graham Sumner is widely regarded as one of the most influential sociologists and economists of the 19th century. His work has transformed our understanding of social evolution, cultural norms, and economic policy, providing foundational tools and frameworks for sociological and economic analysis. Sumner's concepts of social Darwinism, folkways, and the forgotten man remain central to the study of sociology and political science. His contributions to the critique of socialism and advocacy of laissez-faire economics continue to inspire debates on economic freedom and social policy. Sumner's legacy as a pioneering sociologist and a rigorous thinker ensures his place as a central figure in the history of social thought.