Critique of Communism and Socialism

Societies develop gradually; they are not created or, more importantly, destroyed and rebuilt by humans. Spencer’s worries about socialistic control, which he linked with slavery and tyranny, were far more significant than his worries about the restrictions carried out by the capitalist state.

Spencer said that he was opposed to providing individuals equal shares of resources. He proposed that instead of this offering, each should be allowed to acquire the items they wish. This perception of Spencer distinguishes his vision of society from that of socialists and communists. Spencer believed that selfishness was a fundamental aspect of human nature and that socialism stood in contrast. Expecting selfish individuals to give up their extra output to benefit others willingly is impractical; selfish individuals cannot create a selfless society.

Spencer believed that everyone had an instinct for personal rights and that one of those rights—a desire for property—was one of those rights. Consequently, socialism cannot endure since it conflicts with this aspect of human nature.

Spencer opposes any sudden or revolutionary change, which is connected to his hostility to socialism and communism. This is in line with his often-expressed belief that evolution is and must be a slow process. Aside from going against evolution, sudden change also results in drastically transformed societies that are at odds with the glacially changing character of humans.