Why did Spencer believe that the rich and powerful in a society would be more successful?

Herbert Spencer believed that the rich and powerful in society would be more successful due to his application of Darwinian principles to social theory, which he termed "Social Darwinism." He argued that wealth and power were indicators of superior traits, such as intelligence and capability, which allowed the affluent to thrive in a competitive environment. Consequently, he viewed societal success as a reflection of natural selection, where those at the top were deemed the fittest to lead and prosper. This perspective justified social inequality as a natural outcome of competition and survival.