Social change refers to the change of culture and social institutions over time. It can be deliberate and unintentional, and its occurrence is universal but varies over time. Such change in society has always been contentious and invites diverse consequences—cultural change results from the constant invention, discovery, and diffusion within the society (Lowith 115). Modernization, on the other hand, refers to social patterns as a consequence of industrialization. It is, therefore, a progression of social change resulting from industrialization. It results in the decline of the traditional communities, development of personal choices, the multiplicity of beliefs and future orientation, and increased awareness of time (Inglehart 160).
Karl max, a modern theorist, argued that economic development brings a lot of cultural changes in society. Economic development is there cited as influencing the changes of the fundamental values (Halevy 28). He blamed economic development for the fading away of cultural norms and values. It replaces these norms with values that are more rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory. He basically concentrated on social conflict and viewed industrialization mainly as a capitalist revolution. He upheld Weber’s idea that social change resulted in increased rationality and diminishing traditions but argued that such changes only sustained the development of capitalism. According to him, the increased change in social life in the nineteenth century as a result of capitalism and not the industrial revolution. Capitalism, according to him, referred to the principle of private property that induced ownership and having power over the economic enterprise (Halevy 48). This, therefore, resulted in various classes of social conflict between those who had and those who did not have any means of production. There was also a conflict of interest of ownership of power. The working class, who did not have any power, suffered economically since they had limited means of addressing their poor state. Since there was no channel for the workers to raise their grievances through collective bargaining, they often resulted in violence which finally paved the way for revolution. According to Marx, such revolutionary change resulted in to rise of a classless society. In the United States, economic factors, mostly capital formation, are held responsible for initiating modernization and development.
The non -economic factors were also put into consideration as delaying the process of modernization (Inglehart 201). The west also had the spirit of capitalism within them, where they were generally committed to success for basic satisfaction. Such drive led to a saving motive and accumulation of capital for reinvestment which eventually led to economic growth. Education was also considered as a great drive to modernization since it transformed the traditional society from its cultural norms to modern values. Modernization in the US has also been manifested in the change of the political regime (Halevy 55). This was made possible due to the existence of organized groups in society. With such groups, it was very easy for the political centers to address the demands of the groups and absorb change.
Today modernization is well manifested in the global economies by the diversification of the products available as a result of rising technologies. Everyone is looking for change for self-improvement. The human choice then comes in to picture as the key manifestation of modernization. Self–expression over time has changed the traditional values to modern values giving rise to various humanistic societies. Human choices will vary in the day to day events ranging from politics, gender, and religion, among others. It puts a lot of emphasis on freedom of choice (Halevy 30). This has given rise to emerging pressures on gender empowerment, more civilized and democratic institutions, and political liberation. Continued change in people’s basic values and beliefs influences their approach to politics, sexual, economic, and religious behavior.
Modernization in the US has therefore been well expressed through human development as economic development gives rise to cultural changes (Lowith 97). In the US, modernization has been manifested in four various concepts, which are: shrinking of the community which is becoming smaller and smaller by the day, the aging population are becoming more conscious of the future and are making plans for it, there is more abundance of individual choices through free enterprise and globalization, and finally the society has been bestowed with greater diversity than any other time in history.
In the contemporary US, there are so many things that are happening as a result of modernization, and probably one of the greatest development that has caught the world by storm is the history in the making of the likely presidency of Barrack Obama; who if he succeeds will become the first Black American President of the US. The presidential trial in itself has brought on board for the first time a woman vying for the top seat (Tyrer).
Any new ideas and developments that seem to make modern individuals’ life are quickly adapted, and it slowly forms the basis of upgrading people’s values and beliefs. Over time people will keep changing the ways they think, how they dress, how they approach different issues, and even execution of ideas. This is due to different technologies that come up now and then, thereby guaranteeing continuing modernization in the US. Industrialists and owners of capital in the modern world continue upgrading the modern society, eventually leading to gradual society transformation and diminishing of present societies (Inglehart 205).
In conclusion, Karl Max’s expression of capitalism can be upheld for bringing about a revolution owing to industrialization. Modernization is good and brings a lot of improvement in human life. It cuts costs for many, improves the quality of goods and services, saves time, and brings in a lot of efficiencies. On the other hand, it comes with some negative effects such as environmental pollution, terrorism, and unacceptable change for older generations.
Work Cited
Eva Etzioni-Halevy. Social Change: The Advent and Maturation of Modern Society. USA, Routledge, 1981, 23-98.
Karl Lowith. Max Weber and Karl Marx.USA, Routledge, 1993, 88-130.
Mary Tyrer: The Future of Modernization of the U.S. 2008. Web.
Ronald Inglehart and Christian Welzel. Modernization,Cultural Change, and Democracy: The Human Development Sequence. USA, Cambridge UP, 2005, 155-307.