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Modernisation
Modernization is the transformative
process where societies shift from traditional, agrarian structures to
industrial, urban, rational ones, emphasizing progress, science, and
individualism. Originating in the West post-Industrial Revolution, it involves
economic growth (capitalism), political democratization, cultural
secularization, and social mobility.
Theories: Rostow's stages model
outlines takeoff to high consumption; dependency theorists (Frank) critique it
as exploitative, perpetuating underdevelopment in peripheries. Parsons saw
pattern variables evolving from ascription to achievement.
Key features: Urbanization relocates
populations to cities for jobs; industrialization mechanizes production;
education universalizes knowledge. Consequences: Improved health and literacy,
but environmental degradation and inequality.
In non-Western contexts, like
Japan's Meiji Restoration, modernization blended traditions with innovations.
India's post-independence efforts via five-year plans aimed at self-reliance,
yielding mixed results like IT booms amid poverty.
Challenges: Cultural erosion, as
Western values supplant local ones, sparking fundamentalism. Gender roles
evolve, empowering women through rights and employment.
Social work mitigates disruptions
via community adaptation programs. Globalization accelerates modernization,
with multinationals driving change but exploiting labor.
Critiques: Ethnocentric, ignoring
alternative modernities (e.g., Islamic modernism). Postmodernism questions
linear progress, highlighting fragmentation.
Trends: Digital modernization via AI
and e-governance transforms governance and economy. Sustainable models
integrate green technologies.
Ultimately, modernization promises
prosperity but requires inclusive strategies to avoid marginalization. It
reshapes identities, economies, and institutions, demanding ethical oversight
for equitable global advancement.
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