change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society.
t may refer to the notion of social
progress or sociocultural evolution, the philosophical idea that society moves forward
by dialectical orevolutionary means. t may refer to a paradigmatic change in the socio-economic structure, for
instance a shift away from feudalism and towards capitalism. Accordingly it may also refer to social revolution, such
as the Socialist revolution presented in Marxism, or to other social movements, such as Women's suffrage or the Civil
rights movement. Social change may be driven by cultural, religious, economic, scientific or technological forces.
Prominent theories of sociaI change Basically, change comes from two sources. One source is random or
unique factors such as climate, weather, or the presence of specific groups of people. Another source is systematic
factors. For example, successful development has the same general requirements, such as a stable and flexible
government, enough free and available resources, a diverse social organization of society, and a stable and flexible
governmental system. So, on the whole, social change is usually a combination of systematic factors along with some
random or unique factors
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egeIian The classic Hegelian dialectic model of change is based on the interaction of opposing forces. Starting
from a point of momentary stasis, Thesis countered by Antithesis first yields conflict, then it subsequently results
in a new Synthesis.
arxist Marxism presents a dialectical and materialist concept of history; Humankind's history is a fundamental
struggle between social classes.
:hnian The philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn argues in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions with
respect to the CopernicanRevolution that people are unlikely to jettison an unworkable paradigm, despite many
indications that the paradigm is not functioning properly, until a better paradigm can be presented.
eracIitan The Greek philosopher Heraclitus used the metaphor of a river to speak of change thus, "On those
stepping into rivers staying the same other and other waters flow" (DK22B12). What Heraclitus seems to be
suggesting here, later interpretations notwithstanding, is that, in order for the river to remain the river, change
must constantly be taking place. Thus one may think of the Heraclitan model as parallel to that of a living
organism, which, in order to remain alive, must constantly be changing.
aoist The Chinese philosophical work Dao De Jing, .8 and .78 uses the metaphor of water as the ideal agent
of change. Water, although soft and yielding, will eventually wear away stone. Change in this model is to be
natural, harmonious and steady, albeit imperceptible.
#eso:rce-based economy Jacque Fresco's concept of a resource-based economy that replaces the need for
the current monetary economy, which is "scarcity-oriented" or "scarcity-based". Fresco argues that the world is
rich in natural resources and energy and that with modern technology and judicious efficiency the needs of
the global population can be met with abundance, while at the same time removing the current limitations of what
is deemed possible due to notions of economic viability.
Some major c:rrent sociaI changes One of the most obvious changes currently occurring is the change in
population distribution. n the recent decades, developing countries became a larger proportion of world population,
increasing from 68% in 1950 to 82% in 2010, while population of the developed countries has declined from 32% of
total world population in 1950 to 18% in 2010. China and ndia continue to be the largest countries, followed by the
US as a distant third. However, population growth throughout the world is slowing. Population growth among
developing countries has been slowing since the 1950s, and is now at 0.3% annual growth. Population growth among
the less developed countries excluding the least developed has also been slowing, since 1960, and is now at 1.3%
annual growth. Population growth among the least developed countries has not really slowed, and is the highest at
2.7% annual growth