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Theories of Social Change

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Darwinian Social Evolution and Social Change
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Abstract

Here, I take a closer look at the work of Michael Mann and Dingxin Zhao, who both have recent and important theories of social change. I first describe both their theories, talking about the ways that Zhao builds on Mann’s theory and what this adds. I then consider their respective critiques of social evolution and particularly point to the way that they are both operating with an older conception of social evolution. Finally, I discuss how their theories are perhaps more Darwinian than they realise and, consequently, what Darwinian social evolution can contribute to drawing out those implications.

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Kerr, W. (2021). Theories of Social Change. In: Darwinian Social Evolution and Social Change . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77999-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77999-3_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-77998-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-77999-3

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