Future of Modernization - Essay Example

Running Head: Future of Modernization Future of modernization Modernization is the ideawhich emanates for a societies' view of undergoing through a pattern of standard evolution. There are various theories that are related to social evolutionism which try to describe modernization. These theories assert that every society have evolved from the ancient barbarism to the current civilizations which are developed to very high levels. The theories also asserted that the new civilizations that would emerge from modernization would be very wealthy and powerful and at the same time, their citizens would enjoy multiple freedoms and rights which would be protected by the ruling authority or the government. The citizens would also enjoy higher standards of living. This paper will look into various aspects of modernization in the United States and also around the world. The paper will also look into the consequences of modernization and various theorists of the idea of modernization. Manifestation of modernization in the United States There are four different concepts that modernization manifests itself in the United States. One of the concepts is that is the diversification that the society is undergoing through. Another concept is that people are making more abundant choices while at the same time the concept of smaller communities is also a manifestation of modernization in the United States. The other concept is that the aging people are becoming more and more future conscious that it was witnessed a number of years ago. Manifestation of the modernization in the United States can be said to be following the theories of Emile Durkheim. Durkheim concentrated on how the society should uphold their virtues and integrity in the modern times and how the societies would share such things as religion and ethnicity in a very constrained manner (Wagner, 2008). To this effect, Durkheim with the assistance of Herbert Spencer sought to come up with a scientific approach to study the society and various phenomena that would be associated with the society. This was done in reference to the function the individuals played in quotidian maintenance to explain different elements of the society existence and hence Durkheim is seen by many as the precursor of functionalism. Thus he was involved in the study commonly referred to as Social Facts. Social Facts is the study that tries to prove that there is the existence of a phenomenon which is not bound by the actions of the individuals and how the individuals that make up a society adapt to some changes but which is precipitated by a social fact. To this effect, some of the most subjective and individualistic phenomena that include such things as suicide would be described by Durkheim as an example of social facts which are objective (Macionis, 2006). Hence, modernization in the United States is manifested by the society adapting some new social changes which can be attributed to the theory of Social Fact a theory that is credit to Emile Durkheim. This means that the society in America is experiencing these changes due to modernization and this means that the reality of modernization in America has manifested itself due to the changes that the society is undergoing through and how these changes are positively and negatively affecting the society (Tyrer, 2008). Modernization development in the United States Right now, the United States is undergoing through many changes that can be said to be political, social, economical and cultural. This means that the United States will have many more developments as far as modernization is concerned. Politically, the society is looking for more freedoms and rights and the government is forced to comply with the requirements of the citizens. This means that modernization in the political outlook of the United States have more room for development. It is important to note that the country is the most democratic country in the world but the people feel that they need to be included more in the decision making process of the government. This has called for more modernization in the political outlook of the country. A good example is that many Americans feel that if they were given the opportunity of deciding for the country, the country would not have been involved in the Wars that it is currently involved in and military occupation of other countries like Afghanistan and Iraq (Tyrer, 2008). Socially, the country is experiencing a lot of changes and there are still more changes to be coming. This means that the country still have room for more development in modernization as far as the social change is concerned. There will be more diversifications as far as the society is concerned and this will be evidenced in various aspects like ethnicity, religion and social behaviors. The current social setting of the country will also be altered and a new social setting will be witnessed whereby various individuals will change their attitude towards various social issues (Macionis, 2006). Economically, as the country is developing its economy, more modernization will also be experienced in the country and this include such things as economical diversification of the country to adapt to the new changes in the economy of the world. The individuals will also need to adapt to these changes so economical modernization will be felt by the state as well as the individuals (Saler, 2006). Modernization as a worldwide trend The world's societies are also experiencing modernization in various aspects which can be related to social changes, economical changes and political changes. This can mainly be attributed to globalization which can be said to have initiated after the Second World War with the initiation of certain organization such as United Nations. The media has also played a very important role in the process of modernization. Various societies are now aware of the changes the world is undergoing through and this can be attributed to the fact that information is now easily accessible around the globe due to globalization and the media (Tyrer, 2008). With the onset of globalization and the free flow of information, many societies have been adversely subjected to changes in order to comply with the new changes the world is going through. This is in terms of economy where the global economy has played a major role in ensuring that all societies are now complying with the economical requirements of the world. Social changes have also been enabled by the fact that many countries are now adapting to the western social lifestyles and this can be attributed to the fact that the media systems of the world have enable people all over the world to access information about the new changes. Politically, many countries are now adopting the political stand of the world whereby there are calls for more freedoms and rights which should be safeguarded by the government of a given country (Wagner, 2008). Consequences of modernization As with any other trend in the world, there are some consequences that can be derived from modernization. One of the consequences of modernization is its effects to the world cultures. Many cultures around the world have degraded and this can be attributed to the fact that with modernization, many societies have done away with their traditional cultures and have adopted new cultures mainly from the western countries which are also changing due to modernization in the western cultures (Saler, 2006). With the increase in freedoms that are afforded to the people with the onset of modernization, many societies are also encouraging some very immoral behaviors. This can be attributed to the fact that with a significant degree of freedoms protecting the people from adhering to the traditional norms, such vices as prostitution, crime and other vices have increased over the recent number of years. This is deemed to keep rising as the years go by and modernization develops (Tyrer, 2008). There is also a high degree of oppression especially to the minorities who are seen as hindering the process of modernization. This can be attributed to various aspects of life like social, economical and political views of the majorities. Modernization has been an instrument of oppression and this has been geared especially by globalization where the minority and the weak societies are exploited grossly by the majority and the powerful societies. This can be well evidenced by the economical exploitation that is subjected to the third world countries by the developed countries and the heightening tension between races and tribes all over the world (Saler, 2006). Modernization Theorist - Peter Wagner Social theorist, Peter Wagner is of the view that modernization incorporates both offenses and processes. According to Wagner, modernization can be seen as being offensive on the grounds that modernization developments and also the opportunities that have been altered are also been brought about by human agents and these human agents also control the modernization developments and the altered opportunities. Hence Wagner asserts that modernization is the end result of human action and also human planning and this makes the concept of modernization to have the capability of altered and criticized (Wagner, 2008). On the other hand, Wagner is of the view that when modernization is seen as a process, it is the modernization that is projected by the media as well as politicians and refers to the concepts of modernization which include such things as the technological development. This means that modernization cannot be criticized and in fact makes modernization a necessary process for social, economical and political aspects. This is because modernization in this perspective is seen as a tool of controlling the limits of human development in the aspects of social, economical and political (Wagner, 2008). References Macionis, J. (2006). Society the Basics. In I. Pearson Education, Society the Basics. Published by -Hall. Pearson Education, Inc Saler, M. (2006). American Historical. In Modernity and Enchantment (pp. vol.111 (3) pp. 692-716). Tyrer, M. (2008). The future of modernization in the United States. www.helium.com retrieved on 2nd May, 2009 from http://www.helium.com/items/867742-the-future-of-modernization-in-the-united-states Wagner, P. (2008) Modernity as experience and interpretation: a new sociology of modernity. Polity, 307 Read More