Is social darwinism in action today?

[shadrach]

im the head in a debate tomorrow, the two sides being that:

1: social darwinism (applied to economic success vs. failure) is in action today. EG: the people with the virtues required to have economic success usually become successful. virtues such as labor (willingness to work hard) and self-denial (the ability to keep yourself away from a bad lifestyle, EG: drinking, drug abuse) can, and will aspire to greatness. this theory supports it's relevance by saying that the public, regardless of class, has access to the information needed to learn the Business skills necessary to become successful in whatever endeavours they may want to persue (internet, libraries). basically, people with these virtues can aspire to greatness from any starting point, and any wealthy person without these virtues will likely lose any wealth they inherit.

2: wealth breeds more wealth. those born into wealth are given more of a chance to be successful than those born into poverty. EG: better schools, education, and more recources at their disposal. contrasted with a high school dropout that has to work to help support their family. this person, because they have to work, doesn't have the chance to get the education they would need to become successful.

i've been given the lead on social darwinism. though i don't actually support this view. this makes it hard for me to wright my speech. im looking for views/examples/insight supporting this notion that social darwinism is in effect today completely or more-so than the other notion. thank you very much in advance. and thank you for actually reading this entire, massive thing.

[arber47]

Many people have been in the hole and have rose to the top and became successful. Look up dave ramsey and the total money makeover. He wrote a book called the total money makeover. In it are many examples of people in poverty that have become successful. Look him up and I am sure most of the examples are online, if you want to study it further.

[warton26]

I would tend to back the idea of social darwinism.

AskMen magazine has an article stating that 2/3 of the millionaires are small business people - that comes (primarily) from the attributes listed.
http://www.askmen.com/money/successful/53_success.html

From another article at
http://blog.lendingclub.com/2007/10/10/incredible-statistics-about-millionaires-in-america/
[quote]
According to this book [The Millionaire Next Door], the average millionaire drives a Ford F-150 pickup truck. 80% made their money in one generation, and only 20% had more than 10% of their income come from inheritances. The average millionaire does not drive the latest-year's car, nor does he or she wear expensive clothes. The average millionaire invests around 20% of his or her income annually.

What does all of this remind you of? It should sound to you like a description of a long-term investor. Millionaires spend significantly less than they earn, and they use their money to invest--not to buy more things.
[End quote]

If it is true that 80% of millionaires make the money in one generation your opponent has no chance of making that position the norm.

Do a search for "Millionaire statistics" and you should have no problem making your case.

[egann]

Yes it is. But it's a bit blurred. Because u CAN b poor and become rich, U can b rich and become poor. Oprah Winfrey is a billionaire, and she came from poverty. And u do hear some stories of trust fund babies blowing their $, and living poor(for their standards). Ur right about millionaires, u wouldn't really recognize them if u saw them. They know how to make and keep $. There are people who have dropped out of high school, to get jobs and help their families, but in their spare time, they got their GE D's and later, went to college...and made something of themselves. Steve Jobs dropped out of college because of the financial burden it put on his folks...I think he went back later though. People in poverty may have a tougher hill to climb, where some make it, and some don't, but as the rich and famous say...it's lonely at the top. There are many countries where birth really determines ur faith, u cant rise, but in the US, it's possible. Bill Clinton achieved his dreams due to drive, and ability. He wasn't rich. Plus, even though his mom might've got a degree n given him a middle class rearing, he had rough life at the hands of his step dad. But look at him now. He's a millionaire(at least), and Chelsea didn't really have it too hard.

Social darwinism is a part of life. There has to b three rungs at least on the ladder, so people can climb up or down. We see it happen all the time.