Evolution and Transformation

Abstract

It is not difficult to see why the application of evolutionary theory to the processes of social change was attractive to people in the last half of the nineteenth century. Faith in science as a guarantor of social progress was widespread, and here was a scientific theory which seemed to confirm that belief. Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer and to some extent Darwin himself all held that human society, like Nature, was inevitably advancing in a positive direction. The nineteenth century in Spain was marked by political and social instability; the process of industrialisation there lagged far behind that of Spain's European neighbours, as did the levels of infrastructure. It was therefore not surprising that the painful processes of change endured by the nation came to be viewed as part of the country's evolution into a prosperous and modern European state. Some people from modest backgrounds were creating their own wealth and the nature of Spanish social classes inevitably changed as well. As elsewhere, the newly moneyed classes in particular were keen to embrace the concept of evolution, as it seemed to validate their financial and social advancement, even if the process did not did not favour everyone. Peter J. Bowler confirms that the European bourgeoisie were in general only too happy to adopt social Darwinian ethics: