Struggle for existence

Nature

Response by living creatures, in the form of novel or intensified efforts, to their environmental difficulties and limitations. This process is characterized by continuing, and often painful or fatal, clashes both between the living creatures and with their environments. The struggle is aggravated by the tendency of any species towards over-population, by the dependency of members of the population on one another and on other species, and by unpredictable changes in the environment. The struggle is thus not limited to intraspecific competition. It takes place between both fellow-organisms of the same species and between organisms of very different natures.

Background

The struggle for existence emerged as a central concern in the 19th century, notably articulated by Charles Darwin to explain natural selection. Its significance expanded beyond biology as industrialization, population growth, and resource scarcity highlighted competition for survival on a global scale. Throughout the 20th century, scholars and policymakers increasingly recognized the struggle for existence as a driving force behind social conflict, environmental degradation, and persistent inequalities, prompting interdisciplinary research and international debate.

Incidence

The struggle for existence manifests globally as individuals and communities compete for limited resources such as food, water, shelter, and employment. This competition is intensified by factors like population growth, environmental degradation, and economic inequality, leading to widespread hardship and social tension. The phenomenon is evident in both developed and developing regions, affecting millions and contributing to persistent poverty, displacement, and conflict.
In 2023, severe drought in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, forced over one million people to leave their homes in search of food and water. This mass displacement highlighted the acute struggle for existence driven by resource scarcity.

Claim

It is a mistake to consider that the struggle is necessarily directly competitive, sanguinary, and results in the immediate elimination of one of the parties. It may often be accurately described as an endeavour after well-being. In face of difficulties and limitations, one kind of organism may intensify competition, another may exhibit more elaborate parental care or greater mutual aid, another may adopt some form of parasitism and another may change its habitat. Half-understood technical concepts from biology have frequently encouraged inappropriate conclusions. The universal struggle in nature has been erroneously used to vindicate internecine competition and warfare among men.

Counter-claim

The so-called "struggle for existence" is vastly overstated and hardly a pressing problem today. With modern advancements in technology, medicine, and social systems, most basic needs are easily met for the majority. Focusing on this outdated concept distracts from real, contemporary issues. Instead of perpetuating a narrative of constant struggle, we should recognize and build upon the abundance and opportunities that define our era, rather than clinging to obsolete survival anxieties.