Final answer:
Darwin's theory can influence political science by emphasizing the importance of adaptation and change in governance, highlighting the capacity of political systems to evolve with societal needs rather than justifying inequalities through social Darwinism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Darwin's evolutionary theory can influence the political science field in modern times primarily by emphasizing the importance of adaptation and change in governance. In this context, the political application of Darwin's theories, known as social Darwinism, was initially used to rationalize the idea that societal success equated to biological fitness. This concept, often associated with Herbert Spencer's phrase "survival of the fittest", suggested that societal structures evolve through competition and natural selection, with successful characteristics prevailing over time.
However, Darwin himself would likely have rejected such a misreading of his work, which critics pointed out ignores issues such as equality of opportunity. Modern political science recognizes that the successful application of evolutionary principles to the social realm should focus on the ability of political systems to adapt and improve, rather than a misplaced justification for inequality. This understanding suggests that governance should be responsive and capable of evolving with changing societal needs, rather than perpetuating a rigid, survival-based hierarchy.