Struggle for existence

The concept of the struggle for existence (or struggle for life) concerns the competition or battle for resources needed to live. It can refer to human society, or to organisms in nature. The concept is ancient, and the term struggle for existence was in use by the end of the 18th century. From the 17th century onwards the concept was associated with a population exceeding resources, an issue shown starkly in Thomas Robert Malthus’ An Essay on the Principle of Population which drew on Benjamin Franklin's Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc.. Charles Darwin used the phrase "struggle for existence" in a broader sense, and chose the term as the title to the third chapter of On the Origin of Species published in 1859. Using Malthus's idea of the struggle for existence, Darwin was able to develop his view of adaptation, which was highly influential in the formulation of the theory of natural selection. In addition, Alfred Wallace independently used the concept of the struggle for existence to help come to the same theory of evolution. Later, T.H. Huxley further developed the idea of the struggle for existence. Huxley did not fully agree with Darwin on natural selection, but he did agree that there was a struggle for existence in nature. Huxley also recognized that a struggle for existence existed between competing ideas within the minds of people engaged in intellectual discussion. This view is an early example of what was later described as meme theory. While the idea of the struggle for existence was developing in the western world, there were other interpretations of the struggle for existence, especially by Peter Kropotkin in Russia. He wrote Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution partially as a response to Huxley's essay "The Struggle for Existence". Also, the struggle for existence was questioned in the United States in the 1930s, as the idea of cooperation among organisms became popular. More recently, it has been argued that the struggle for existence is not as important on macroevolutionary time scales.

The struggle for existence is a global problem affecting millions of people worldwide. According to the World Bank, over 700 million people live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. Additionally, the United Nations reports that approximately 820 million people suffer from chronic hunger, with 1 in 9 people going to bed hungry every night. In developing countries, 1 in 4 children are malnourished, leading to stunted growth and cognitive development. The World Health Organization estimates that 2 billion people lack access to basic healthcare services, resulting in preventable deaths and illnesses. These statistics highlight the urgent need for global action to address the struggle for existence and improve the quality of life for those most in need.

The concept of the "struggle for existence" may be overstated, as many individuals and species have adapted to their environments and found ways to thrive without constantly battling for survival. Cooperation, symbiotic relationships, and the ability to evolve and innovate have allowed many organisms to overcome challenges and create sustainable ecosystems. Additionally, advancements in technology and society have provided humans with the means to mitigate the harsh realities of nature, making the idea of a relentless struggle for existence less prevalent in modern times.