In sociology, evolutionary theory is a broad perspective that holds that society is moving in a definite direction of progress and increasing complexity over time, often drawing parallels to biological evolution. Early sociological thinkers like Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer applied evolutionary ideas to the development of human societies, suggesting that they evolve through stages from simpler to more complex forms, characterised by increasing specialisation, differentiation, and social organisation. While classical evolutionary theories often implied a linear and deterministic path of societal development, more contemporary approaches recognise that social change is more complex and can involve multiple pathways and even periods of regression. Modern evolutionary perspectives in sociology may focus on long-term processes of social change, the adaptation of societies to their environments, and the role of technological innovation in driving social evolution.