Modernisation Pros and Cons

Modernisation
Adv.shahanavas
The term Westernisation is ethically neutral unlike Modernisation. Its use
doesnt not carry the implication that is good or bad, whereas modernization
is normally used in the sense that it is good.The term 'Modernisation' was
introduced for the rst by Daniel Learner . !e was an "merican scholar and
writer known for his studies on modernization theory. !e #uoted that
$Modernisation is the current term for an old process of social change
whereby less de%eloped societies ac#uire the characteristics common to
more de%eloped societies&. The term modernisation doesnt denote any
philosophy or mo%ement, but it only symbolizes a process of change. In fact,
Modernisation is understood as a process which indicates the adoption of the
modern ways of life and %alues. The term was being used pre%iously to refer
only to change in economy and its related e'ect on social %alues and
practices. It was also described as a process that changed the society,from
primarily agricultural to primarily industrial economy. "s a result of the
change in the economy, the society itself underwent changes in %alues,
beliefs, and norms. (ut today, the term is gi%en a broader meaning. Today,
the term Modernisation is understood as an attempt, on the part of the
people, particularly those who are custom)bound, to adopt themsel%es to the
present time, conditions, styles, and ways in general. It indicates a change in
peoples food habits, dress habits, speaking styles, tastes, choices,
preferences, ideas, %alues, recreational facilities and so on. It is also
described as social change in%ol%ing the elements of science and technology.
The scientic and technological in%entions ha%e brought about remarkable
changes in the whole system of social relationship and installed new
ideologies in the place of traditional ones.
Modernisation in%ol%es a transformation of social, political and economic
organizations.
"ccording to Becker Modernisation is a change from *change resistant
sacred outlook to *change ready secular outlook. "ccording to Webber It is
a change from *personal bonds to *impersonal relation with bureaucracy. "s
per Maine It is a transformation from *status based relations to *contract
based relation. "ccording to Smelser it in%ol%es an ongoing change in a
society's economy, politics, education, traditions, and religion.
"s indicated by Durkhiem it is a change from *mechanical solidarity to
*organic solidarity
+. It in%ol%es the change from simple, traditional techni#ues such as hand)
wea%ing towards the use of scientic knowledge and technology.
,. "gricultural shifts from subsistence farming to commercial farming on a
larger scale. This means growing cash crops, buying non)agricultural
products in the market on a large #uantity and often hiring people to do farm
work
-. In industry, there is a mo%ement away from the use of human and animal
power and towards the use of machinery dri%en by non)human power. .or
e/ample, ploughs pulled by o/en are replaced by tractors dri%en by hired
hands.
0. The society changes from the farm and the %illage centered one to that of
the industry and city centered one. In addition to the four ma1or patterns,
other patters of change ha%e been obser%ed in modernizing social structure.
Traditional religious systems tend to lose in2uence. 3owerful non)religious
ideologies such as patriotism, nationalism, democracy, secularism etc. arise.
The family changes in many ways,both in terms of its structure and
functions. Its economic, educational, and recreational and other functions
tend to diminish. Its size gets smaller and smaller. 4/tended families and kin
groups break up into smaller units. 3ersonal choice becomes the basis of
marriage rather than parental arrangements. Thus, the process of
modernisation includes in itself the gradual de%elopment of a %ast new
system of social structures and psychological traits.
Problems of Modernisation
+. Modernisation demands that society must change in all ways at one. (ut
such a regular and coordinated pattern of growth cannot be planned and
materialised.
,. 5uring the period of modernisation, structural changes mostly remain
une%en. 4/ample, industries may be modernized but religious system, family
system etc. remain conser%ati%e
-.Modernisation of social and economic institutions may create con2icts with
the traditional ways of life. 4/ample, trained M((6 doctors may pose a threat
to the traditional medical practitioners
.0. "nother problem is that, most often roles adopted by the people are
modern, but their %alues continue to be traditional. 4/ample, 7ew business
rms and industrial establishments and shops etc. are either opened or
inaugurated as per the dictates of the traditional *Muhurtam.
8. .inally, though modernisation raises the aspirations of people, the social
system does not pro%ide enough chances to materialise them. This creates
frustration, disappointment and social unrest.
9Add more about modernisation process in India)
Modenisation and westernization
The two terms namely, Westernisation 9M.7. 6rini%as: and Modernisation
95aniel ;erner: must be understood as conceptual tools to understand the
nature and character of social changes that ha%e taken place in the
de%eloping countries.In a broad way it may be said that the concept of
Westernisation as used by 6rini%as co%ers< 9a: beha%ioural aspects like
eating, drinking, dressing, dancing etc. 9b: the knowledge aspects like
literature,science etc. 9c: the %alues aspects like humanitarianism,
e#ualitarianism and secularism etc. The term Modernisation in%ol%ed a
transformation of social, political and economic organisation. "s a concept it
is greatly helpful to the sociologists who ha%e been primarily concerned with
the process of di'erentiation that characterized the modern societies.

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What are the major patterns of change observed in modernizing social structures?

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