Introduction
The transformation of any society brings about a lot of change in terms of culture and social institutions. This social change is inevitable-it happens all the time. A society that goes through the processes of urbanization, industrialization and any social change is completely transformed and transforms the lives of the people. Societies evolve from backwardness to certain levels of civilization and development and are thus referred to as modern.
Main text
Modernization in the United States is manifested in different ways. Modernization is marked by inequalities. The social structures available are more concerned with modernity rather than the social ties in the society. This has led to the society being stratified. The issue of some people being rich or famous as a result of modernity further weakens the social ties in the society. According to the theory of Class Society, modernity has brought about social stratification. This is because people have opted to choose certain lifestyles. This has led the people in the United States to be more individualized. This in return has weakened the human society that used to exist. (Gilman, 2007 pp.222)
Modernity in the United States is a lot of self-centeredness. For instance a very small percentage in the United States is rich. Most of the wealth is controlled by a few millionaires. While as there are a lot of people who are poor. The gap between the rich and the poor is big. This is because the businessmen who control the wealth of the country are concerned about maximizing their profits. The poor do not have any control over the wealth of the nation.
Modernization is going to continue in the United States. This is because the social structures that bring about change have already been established. The changes that were brought by industrialization and urbanization are deeply rooted in the society, meaning that modernization will still continue in the United States. For instance industrialization led to the expansion of the economy, this is by making goods and services available to the people. Today, people still seek more goods and services which bring about change in their lives. (Ronald, 2006 pp.36-55)
Modernization is a worldwide trend. Every nation in the world is trying to be modern. Cultural modernity is especially affecting many nations in the world, making modernization a worldwide trend. Education is one thing that brings about modernization. Each nation is seeking to educate its citizen. Even societies that did not value girl-child education have learned the importance of education for both boys and girls. Education is one main indicator that a society’s/nations culture is modern. Other indicators include:
- Education for men and women (average education).
- Population that lives in the urban centers.
- Workforce that are women (salaried).
The above are some of the characteristics that are found in many nations showing that modernization is a worldwide trend. Nations are trying to modernize their culture and a lot of other things.
Modernization has a lot of consequences both positive and negative. Some of the positive consequences of modernization include:
Infant mortality
Modernization has ensured that infant mortality rate has been reduced. A lot of children are able to live normal and healthier lives. This is due to the medical advances that were brought about by the industrial revolution. Complications that affect the children are dealt with due to the medical advancements that have happened in the world. (Donald, 1998 pp.14-19)
Literacy levels
Modernization brought the realization that education is important and somehow fashionable. This is seen a lot of people enroll in school and thus reducing the level of illiteracy in the world. The importance of education has been highlighted by modernization.
Poverty
The level of poverty has reduced significantly. Industrialization and urbanization led to a situation whereby people are in a position to share ideas and thus help to reduce the level of poverty. This is because information spreads easily. Sharing ideas brings about positive change. Due to industrial mass production, people are able to get jobs in factories which are normally the centers of production. This greatly reduces the poverty level. (Donald, 1998 pp14-21)
Medical advancements
Modernization has improved the life expectancy of people, that is, people are able to live healthier and longer lives, people have a change to live till old age due to the medical advancements that were brought by modernization. The above are some of the positive consequences of modernization. Some of the negative consequences include:
- Modernization has individualized the society such that people have become isolated from their societies. This is as a result of the disintegrating of the small social institutions that we present.
- Modernization has also made people be self-centered. In that due to technological advancements, people are able to operate alone without the help of people. That is human solidarity has been done away with.
The theory that best reflects my perception about modernization is the Class Society theory. This is because it captures the situation in our society today. Whereby the society is stratified, people are so self-centered, businessmen aim at making greater profits and the many inequalities in our society. For instance like the gap between the rich and the poor.
References
Donald, F. (1998). Geography of Development and Modernization, Toronto: York University Publisher, pp. 3-37.
Gilman, L. (2007). Mandarins of the future: Modernization Theory in Cold War America, New York: JHU Press, pp. 218-306.
Ronald, O. (2006). The Impact of Chinese Naval Modernization on the Future of the United States, New York: Nava Scientific Publishers, pp. 34-118.