Social murder

Social murder (translated from the German term sozialer Mord) is a concept used to describe unnatural or premature deaths that occurs due to preventable problems in social, political, or economic systems, rather than the direct violence often associated with murder. The term originally specifically described deaths due to problems stemming from working conditions under capitalism, the term has since expanded to include preventable deaths due to systemic issues other than ones believed to be inherent under capitalism. The term was coined by German philosopher Friedrich Engels in 1845 to describe premature, preventable deaths resulting from social and economic conditions affecting the English working class. Since then, it has been used by politicians, journalists, academics, and activists to describe deaths attributed to broader social forces or systemic conditions. The term has seen renewed use in the 21st century, particularly in discussions of disasters, public policy, healthcare, and other events in which deaths are argued to have been preventable.