Politička i socijalna teorija Vilijama Grejama Samnera
THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THEORY OF WILLIAM GRAHAM SUMNER

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the political and social thought of William Graham Sumner, one of the most important representatives of early American social theory. William Graham Sumner was the first professor of sociology in the United States and a consistent defender of the values of classical liberalism. He used social Darwinist argumentation, which proved to be extremely effective in order to defend the basic principles of laissez-faire doctrine and competitive capitalism. In that sense, the influence of Herbert Spencer on his theory is also examined, as well as the basic theses of Sumner’s non-interventionist philosophy and critique of protectionism. Sumner’s conception of freedom, his opposition to social reform, and conservative advocacy of the status quo, as essential parts of his political theory, were analized to see clearly the impact his teaching had on the further development on American social and political therory. Also, other parts of Sumner’s theory, such as the minimal role of the state and his critique of imperialism, are presented and scrutinized in detail.

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