MODERNIZATION
MODULE 3
INTRODUCTION
• Modernization theory is used to explain the process of
modernization within societies. Modernization refers to a model of
a progressive transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a
'modern' society. Modernization theory originated from the ideas
of German sociologist Max Weber (1864–1920), which provided the
basis for the modernization paradigm developed by Harvard
sociologist Talcott Parsons (1902–1979). The theory looks at the
internal factors of a country while assuming that with assistance,
"traditional" countries can be brought to development in the same
manner more developed countries have been. Modernization
theory was a dominant paradigm in the social sciences in the 1950s
and 1960s, then went into a deep eclipse. It made a comeback after
1991 but remains a controversial model.[1]
•
INTRODUCTION
• Modernization theory both attempts to identify the social
variables that contribute to social progress and
development of societies and seeks to explain the process
of social evolution. Modernization theory is subject to
criticism originating among socialist and free-market
ideologies, world-systems theorists, globalization theorists
and dependency theorists among others. Modernization
theory stresses not only the process of change but also the
responses to that change. It also looks at internal dynamics
while referring to social and cultural structures and the
adaptation of new technologies.
•
WHAT SUGGEST?
• Modernization theory suggests that traditional societies will develop as
they adopt more modern practices. Proponents of modernization theory
claim that modern states are wealthier and more powerful and that their
citizens are freer to enjoy a higher standard of living. Developments such
as new data technology and the need to update traditional methods in
transport, communication and production, it is argued, make
modernization necessary or at least preferable to the status quo. That
view makes critique difficult since it implies that such developments
control the limits of human interaction, not vice versa. And yet, seemingly
paradoxically, it also implies that human agency controls the speed and
severity of modernization. Supposedly, instead of being dominated by
tradition, societies undergoing the process of modernization typically
arrive at forms of governance dictated by abstract principles. Traditional
religious beliefs and cultural traits, according to the theory, usually
become less important as modernization takes hold.[2]
•
WHAT WERE THE CONCEPT?
• Today, the concept of modernization is understood in three different meanings: 1)
as the internal development of Western Europe and North America relating to the
European New Era; 2) as a process by which countries that do not belong to the
first group of countries, aim to catch up with them; 3) as processes of evolutionary
development of the most modernized societies (Western Europe and North
America), i.e. modernization as a permanent process, carried out through reform
and innovation, which today means a transition to a postindustrial
society.[3] Historians link modernization to the processes
of urbanization and industrialization and the spread of education. As Kendall
(2007) notes, "Urbanization accompanied modernization and the rapid process of
industrialization."[4] In sociological critical theory, modernization is linked to an
overarching process of rationalisation. When modernization increases within a
society, the individual becomes increasingly important, eventually replacing the
family or community as the fundamental unit of society. It is also a subject taught
in traditional Advanced Placement World History classes.
•
FACTORS
• Globalization can be defined as the integration of economic, political and social cultures. It is
argued that globalization is related to the spreading of modernization across borders.
• Global trade has grown continuously since the European discovery of new continents in
the Early modern period; it increased particularly as a result of the Industrial Revolution and
the mid-20th century adoption of the shipping container.
• Annual trans-border tourist arrivals rose to 456 million by 1990 and almost tripled since,
reaching a total of over 1.2 billion in 2016.[8][9] Communication is another major area that has
grown due to modernization. Communication industries have enabled capitalism to spread
throughout the world. Telephony, television broadcasts, news services and online service
providers have played a crucial part in globalization. Former U.S president Lyndon B.
Johnson was a supporter of the modernization theory and believed that television had
potential to provide educational tools in development.[10]
• With the many apparent positive attributes to globalization there are also negative
consequences. The dominant, neoliberal model of globalization often increases disparities
between a society's rich and its poor.[11][citation needed] In major cities of developing countries
there exist pockets where technologies of the modernised world, computers, cell phones and
satellite television, exist alongside stark poverty. Globalists are globalization modernization
theorists and argue that globalization is positive for everyone, as its benefits must eventually
extend to all members of society, including vulnerable groups such as women and children.
•
FACTORS
• New technology is a major source of social change. (Social change refers to any significant
alteration over time in behaviour patterns and cultural values and norms.) Since modernization
entails the social transformation from agrarian societies to industrial ones, it is important to look at
the technological viewpoint; however, new technologies do not change societies by itself. Rather, it
is the response to technology that causes change. Frequently, technology is recognized but not put
to use for a very long time such as the ability to extract metal from rock[citation needed] Although that
initially went unused, it later had profound implications for the developmental course of societies.
Technology makes it possible for a more innovative society and broad social change. That dramatic
change through the centuries that has evolved socially, industrially, and economically, can be
summed up by the term modernization. Cell phones, for example, have changed the lives of
millions throughout the world. That is especially true in Africa and other parts of the Middle East,
where there is a low-cost communication infrastructure. With cell phone technology, widely
dispersed populations are connected, which facilitates business-to-business communication and
provides internet access to remoter areas, with a consequential rise in literacy. [
•
FACTORS
• 2. Development of Industrial Civilisation:
• It is most important to industrialise a backward country in order to
lead it on the path of modernisation. That is the reason Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first, Prime Minister of India established
many steel plants in the public sector. He started a factory for
making railway coaches at Perambur (Tamil Nadu).
• He started Chittaranjan Locomotive Works. He established Bhopal
Heavy Electricals. He built many dams in order to” provide more
facilities for irrigation and generate electricity. Like U.S.S.R., India
has also launched many Five Year Plans in order to accelerate the
growth of economy.
•
FACTORS
• 1. Development of Science and Technology:
• There cannot be two opinions in this respect that the development of science and technology play
a major role m the process of modernisation. Due to this factor a mad race is going in various
countries of the world for development of science and technology.
• If some latest development takes place in the field of science and technology in nuclear or space
field just like Star Wars, then it becomes a prestigious question for the U.S.S.K- also. China first of all
was not recognised by U.S.A. as a great power but when China developed nuclear device, then Mr.
Nixon, President of U.S.A. went himself to seek the hand of friendship of China.
• India also exploded her first nuclear device on the 18 May, 1974 at Pokhran in Rajasthan m order to
prove to the world that she does not lag behind the other countries in this respect. Thus India
entered as six in member of nuclear club.
• In the field of technology, China has caught up with U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. She has developed
intermediate range ballistic missiles. In the air, she has now developed inter-continental ballistic
missiles capable of delivery at longer distance. India is also going ahead with its research
programme in space with a greater speed.
•