Evolutionary scientists studying social and cultural evolution have proposed a multitude of mechanisms by which cultural change can be effected. In this article we discuss two influential ideas from the theory of biological evolution that can inform this debate: the contrast between the micro- and macro-evolution, and the distinction between the tempo and mode of evolution. We add the empirical depth to these ideas by summarizing recent results from the analyses of data on past societies in Seshat: Global History Databank. Our review of these results suggests that the tempo (rates of change, including their acceleration and deceleration) of cultural macroevolution is characterized by periods of apparent stasis interspersed by rapid change. Furthermore, when we focus on large-scale changes in cultural traits of whole groups, the most important macroevolutionary mode involves inter-polity interactions, including competition and warfare, but also cultural exchange and selective imitation; mechanisms that are key components of cultural multilevel selection (CMLS) theory.

研究社会和文化进化的进化科学家提出了许多可以影响文化变革的机制。在本文中，我们讨论了生物进化理论中两个有影响力的观点，它们可以为这场辩论提供信息：微观进化和宏观进化之间的对比，以及进化速度和模式之间的区别。我们通过总结对 S​​eshat 过去社会的数据分析的最新结果：全球历史数据库，为这些想法增加了经验深度. 我们对这些结果的回顾表明，文化宏观进化的速度（变化率，包括它们的加速和减速）的特点是明显的停滞期，其间穿插着快速变化。此外，当我们关注整个群体的文化特征的大规模变化时，最重要的宏观进化模式涉及政体间的互动，包括竞争和战争，也包括文化交流和选择性模仿；作为文化多层次选择（CMLS）理论的关键组成部分的机制。