Social change or social evolution?: Arguments for retaining the concept of social progress in the sociological theory of evolution

Abstract

Sociological theory adapted an evolutionary theoretical framework for understanding social change in the nineteenth century. Later on, the evolutionary approach was challenged, modified or rejected. This paper examines the controversy between anti-evolutionary and neoevolutionary theories. Anti-evolutionary theories attack the concept of social progress, while neo-evolutionary theories defend it. At present, it seems, macrosociological theory has abandoned the concept of social progress. This paper argues that from an analytical perspective there is no compelling argument to do this. Sociological theory may retain the concept of social change linked to evolutionary theory if in the light of criticisms it redefines it.