HISTORY 6 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Meritocracy, Social Darwinism, Social Stratification
Document Summary
Popular stories had to do with individualism (horatio alger) Character determine success - ladder of success. Darwin - all life begins with a common source. Took darwin evolution change/competition and applied to humans. Some will become more successful than others. People at top = there b/c of greater adaptability and decisions. Role of government = laissez faire: focus on allowing competitive forces to unfold. People at bottom of pyramid: safety net/welfare state. 1880 - to start oil co. Flood of oil; price dropped; fewer producers; price goes up. Need predictable source of power; will only come w/ monopoly. Control everything from market to raw material. Control narrows: area raw materials need to go through to get to marketplace: oil refined. Rockefeller: if you wanted oil refined, you had to use. 1890: sherman antitrust act - used to break up standard oil. 1970 - 7 sisters = 7 oil co"s.
