Social Change And Modernisation

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Social Change and Modernisation

In the wake of modernization and Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization, the processes of social mobility, the nature of demographic changes and increase in Urbanization and industrialization have brought significant changes in Society/”>Indian Society. We have substantial material on changes in rural and urban communities. There have come vast changes in the fields of new professions, Banking, management, media and information and several other sectors of service.

Changes in Indian society are massive indeed. But what is the direction of this massive change. On the strength of material generated by sociologists and anthropologists it could be stated that much has been said about caste, family, kin and village and the changes occurring in these fields of social life.

The Stress is on social aspect of our nation’s life. What has been tried by sociologists is to evaluate social change from the vantage point of tradition. If the traditions witness change, it is social change. Sometimes breakdown of or deviation from traditions is analyzed as disintegration. And, therefore, sociologists have much talked about the breakdown of caste system or joint family. The stress, therefore, is on the breaking up of traditions. Interestingly enough, no serious effort has been made to identify the direction of India’s social change.

The policies of the Indian nation-state and its constitution revolve round making India a modern nation. It means we have adopted modernization as our goal. In other words, capitalism, Democracy, rationality, industrialism, science and technology, and above all Secularism-2/”>Secularism constitute our society’s structural and value components.

It is also expected that our categorical values would provide us continuity as a nation. It should also be clear that national social structure should aim to attain secularism, democracy, rationality and equal relations between people as a mark of modernity.

Interestingly enough, in this context, our pioneer sociologists have constructed conceptual frameworks which are only cultural and which focus on caste and particularly Brahmanic values. The weaker sections have largely been marginalized. What is worse, the so-called pioneers along with the eminent contemporary sociologists have devoted the whole of their lives in building up these concepts and enjoyed the status of eminence.

They remained ‘worshipped’ for contributing these trivial parochial categories. They delivered only that much which is expected from structural-functional method. We discuss below the social change which Indian society has witnessed during the aftermath of independence.

There is non-scientific element in the evaluation of social change in India, Elements of which are found in many studies. Authors of these studies evaluate these changes or non-changes in India from their own moral or ideological viewpoints.

With varying emphasis, these writers accept the desirability of change for the sake of change. Some of them assume prophetic while others express dismay at the slow change, and still others postulate quosic-deterministic interpretations about phenomena of change.

Indian sociologists, time and again, have reiterated that Indian Sociology is distinct from sociology in the west or in other parts of the world. This particularism of some Indian sociologists introduces yet another ideological element in the analysis of change.

Some of these components include:  

  • Sanskritization and westernization,  
  • Little and great traditions,  
  • Parochialization and universalization,  
  • Dialectical process, and  
  • Cognitive historical or ideological processes.

During the last four decades, students of sociology are fed with these approaches conveying the notion that whatever social changes that Indian society has witnessed are changes only in caste system and religion. The idea is ‘sold’ that the only model available for the subaltern people is to borrow the norms, values, beliefs, ideology and lifestyle of the Brahmins, Rajput’s, Baniyas and the higher-ups of the society.

Strangely enough, the notion, that is, modernity, has constitutionally abandoned caste system and has given equal status to all, irrespective of sex and religion, the sociologists did not show any guts to analyze social change with the perspective of the norms and values of modernity. Obviously, social change does not mean Hindu social change. It must mean change in the secular direction, change for all.

There is difference in social change and the social change brought about by modernization. It needs some explanation. Social change is any change, which is witnessed in the structures of society. This kind of change is comprehensive and includes all the aspects of society.  

On the other hand, modernization is a specific change aimed at the attainment of the norms of modernity. In the modernization-directed change, the traditions themselves change to modernization. There is adaptation of traditions to modernity. In this context, sanskritization is not a social change directed towards the attainment of modernity.

Sociological writings on secularism

One of the strongest pillars of modernity in India is secularism. It assumes much importance in the context of Indian tradition. Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism is not only a religion of the vast majority of people; it is also a way of life of the masses of people. Even the caste system and in this respect the social stratification, i.e., hierarchy is drawn from Hinduism. But Hindus are not the only people in India.

There are Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who also belong to this country. The Hindu-Muslim tension has become a historical matter of conflict for both the communities. The Babri Masjid demolition and the Gujarat communal genocide have made a great divide between the two communities.

It is in this context that the prime problem of modernity is to focus on the issues related to secularism. In any programme of the building of our nation-state, secularism occupies the priority. It becomes obligatory for sociologists – if they are worth the salt of nation – to focus on the issues pertaining to secularism.  

A review of the themes included in the Survey of Sociology and Social Anthropology reveals that secularism, modernization and rationality hardly occupy any place in it. In the name of modernity, however, social stratification, social movements, sociology of science, sociology of Education, sociology of profession, sociology of law, tribal studies, and industrial sociology find some place for discussion.

In this critique of the modernist historiography to understanding the nation-building process they hold that the very logic of modernity and its various attributes such as, centralized state power, industrialization, nationalism, democracy and secularism are responsible for society’s ills, particularly growing violence reflected in caste, communal and rural-urban conflicts.

In particular, they reject secularism as alien to Indian tradition and custom and hold the very process of secularization responsible for the growing communal/religious violence in society, blaming it for displacing religion from the public sphere and destroying the people’s faith.  

These social scientists go to the extent of arguing that if India wants remedy to its ills, it should return to genuine religion and the indigenous tradition of religious Tolerance as the best means to preserve and maintain a pluralist and multi-religious Indian society.

 


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Social change is the process by which the structure and function of society are altered over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including technological innovation, Economic Development, political upheaval, and environmental changes.

There are two main types of social change: evolutionary change and revolutionary change. Evolutionary change is a gradual process that occurs over time as a result of small, incremental changes. Revolutionary change is a more sudden and dramatic process that occurs as a result of a major event or crisis.

There are a number of agents of social change, including individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, technology, and the Environment. Individuals can play a role in social change by acting as innovators or by adopting new ideas and practices. Groups can also play a role in social change by organizing protests or by lobbying for change. Organizations, such as businesses and government agencies, can also play a role in social change by developing new products or Services or by implementing new policies. Institutions, such as schools and religious organizations, can also play a role in social change by promoting new values or by educating people about new ideas. Technology can also play a role in social change by creating new opportunities or by making it easier for people to communicate and collaborate. The environment can also play a role in social change by causing natural disasters or by creating new challenges for human societies.

Social change can have both positive and negative consequences. Positive consequences of social change can include increased economic prosperity, improved Health and well-being, and greater social Equality. Negative consequences of social change can include increased crime, social unrest, and Environmental Degradation.

Modernization is the process of social and economic development that transforms a traditional society into a modern one. It is characterized by a number of features, including industrialization, urbanization, secularization, and the rise of individualism.

There are a number of theories of modernization, including modernization theory, dependency theory, and world-systems theory. Modernization theory argues that all societies are on a linear path of development that leads to modernity. Dependency theory argues that developing countries are exploited by developed countries, which prevents them from achieving modernization. World-systems theory argues that the world is divided into a core of developed countries and a periphery of developing countries, and that the relationship between these two groups is exploitative.

Modernization can have both positive and negative consequences. Positive consequences of modernization can include increased economic prosperity, improved health and well-being, and greater social equality. Negative consequences of modernization can include increased crime, social unrest, and environmental degradation.

In conclusion, social change is a complex process that can have both positive and negative consequences. Modernization is a type of social change that can lead to both positive and negative consequences. It is important to be aware of the potential consequences of social change in order to make informed decisions about how to respond to it.

What is social change?

Social change is the process by which the structure and function of society are altered over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including technological innovation, economic development, political upheaval, and cultural shifts.

What are the types of social change?

There are many different types of social change, but some of the most common include:

What are the causes of social change?

There are many different factors that can cause social change, but some of the most common include:

What are the effects of social change?

Social change can have both positive and negative effects. Some of the positive effects of social change include:

Some of the negative effects of social change include:

How can we manage social change?

There are a number of ways to manage social change, including:

What is the future of social change?

The future of social change is uncertain, but it is likely that the pace of change will continue to accelerate. This will create both challenges and opportunities, and it will be important for people to be prepared for the changes that are to come.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a characteristic of modernization?

(A) Increased urbanization
(B) Increased industrialization
(C) Increased social stratification
(D) Increased social mobility

Answer

(C) Increased social stratification

Explanation

Modernization is a process of social change that leads to an increase in the level of technology, industrialization, and urbanization. It also leads to an increase in social mobility, as people are able to move up or down the social ladder more easily. However, modernization does not necessarily lead to an increase in social stratification. In fact, it can lead to a decrease in social stratification, as people become more equal in terms of their wealth, power, and status.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a factor that contributes to social change?

(A) Technology
(B) War
(C) Economic development
(D) Religion

Answer

(D) Religion

Explanation

Religion can be a source of social stability, as it can provide people with a sense of community and purpose. However, it can also be a source of social change, as it can lead to conflict between different religious groups. In addition, religion can be used to justify social change, as it can be argued that certain changes are necessary in order to comply with religious beliefs.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of social change?

(A) Evolutionary change
(B) Revolutionary change
(C) Cyclical change
(D) Linear change

Answer

(D) Linear change

Explanation

Linear change is a type of social change that is characterized by a gradual and continuous progression from one state to another. Evolutionary change is a type of social change that is characterized by a gradual and cumulative process of change that leads to a new and different state. Revolutionary change is a type of social change that is characterized by a sudden and radical change in the social order. Cyclical change is a type of social change that is characterized by a recurring pattern of change that repeats itself over time.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a consequence of social change?

(A) Increased social conflict
(B) Increased social mobility
(C) Increased social inequality
(D) Increased social cohesion

Answer

(D) Increased social cohesion

Explanation

Social change can lead to increased social conflict, as people may disagree about the direction of change or the pace of change. Social change can also lead to increased social mobility, as people are able to move up or down the social ladder more easily. Social change can also lead to increased social inequality, as some people may benefit from change more than others. However, social change does not necessarily lead to increased social cohesion. In fact, it can lead to a decrease in social cohesion, as people become more divided over the issue of change.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a strategy for coping with social change?

(A) Avoidance
(B) Acceptance
(C) Accommodation
(D) Resistance

Answer

(A) Avoidance

Explanation

Avoidance is a strategy for coping with social change that involves trying to ignore or avoid the change. Acceptance is a strategy for coping with social change that involves accepting the change and trying to adapt to it. Accommodation is a strategy for coping with social change that involves trying to find a way to live with the change. Resistance is a strategy for coping with social change that involves trying to stop or reverse the change.

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