Evolution and Social Darwinism?

Inspired by Fiji's suggestion of an alternate development of the Theory of Evolution, which can be found here:

https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=121555

What I was wondering about was, how do you think it would have shaped the historical debate over evolution versus creationism, the larger field of biology and the greater world in general, if, when he had formulated his Theory of Evolution, Darwin had incorporated political/social commentary in with the science, advocating a doctrine similar to OTL Social Darwinism?

Now, obviously this didn't happen OTLy. If anyone feels offended by the nature of the POD I'm suggesting, feeling that it insults Darwin, then we could for the sake of argument imagine that Darwin died and some other scientist came up with the theory and publicized it. But the question remains the same - how would the world differ from OTL if in the form in which the Theory of Evolution was introduced, a concept like Social Darwinism was also suggested as being a good thing?

Well, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this issue...

Honestly? Developing social Darwinism five years earlier isn't a huge POD, so not much is going to be different (barring butterflies, of course). The scientific theory is different from the social ideology, and the latter does not directly follow from the former. OTL, you have a lot of groups opposed to evolution incorrectly associating the two as a way to slander Darwin and evolution. The only difference is that ITTL, The slander towards Darwin is going to be correct. People that are pro-evolution (and anti-social Darwinism, of course) are still going to defend evolution, they just won't be defending Darwin alongside it.

I am not sure how it plays out but I have a couple or four observations:

1) If Darwin espouses social Darwinism from the outset there is a very significant chance it will be rejected by most of the scientific community and he personally is regarded as a crank. Then the scientific elements of the theory are either ignored for several years until revisited (perhaps in Europe or the Americas rather than Britain) or someone, most likely Wallace or maybe Hooker sorts things out and is credited with the theory.

2) Marx and Engles published the Communist Manifesto in 1848 just 11 years prior to the publication of OTOOSBMONS in 1859. The Manifesto depending on your view point either sets Europe alight or pours oil on the flames of the 1848 revolutions. The rulers and governments of Europe have no real philosophical justification for thier own anti-Liberal views at this time. The certainly had no defence against the concepts of Communism and Socialism. Social Darwinism could give them that, a justification for the permanent suppression of the poor and a rejection of democracy for the greater good of the 'Race'/nation.

3) The Civil War is begining in the USA it could be that the widespread concept of Social Darwinism would bring the British Government to recognise the Confederate State's independence because slavery is now less vile, it is part of the natural order of things. Once the British recognise the CSA the Union cause is lost.

4) Similarly, the treatment of China is fully justified by Social Darwinism and acceptance of this particular view of it millitates for more harsh treatment of India.

Social engineers and Politicians still squabble about the "Right Way" of going about to implement their programs. Wars still happen, leading many veterans to become disillusioned with the idea. A coup happens and a Dictatorship by the veterans, based around a Meritocratic service-to-the-state enfranchisement regime ruling the world as the Soldiers who are veterans actually know how to fight, recruit and find that those still adhering to Social Darwinism have no real military to speak of. In a long and dangerous war, though much of the world is divided, eventually the idea of Social Darwinism prospers under the Iron fist of men who know the price of liberty, however it is thought of as a good thing only because it alows for better governmental services.

Starship Troopers FTW.