Characteristics of Modernisation:: As A Sociologist, S.C. Dube Has Classified Development Theories in Four Broad Phases

In everyday conversation we use the term 'modern' to describe present technology and
experiences, modernization, on the other hand, is a process that began much further
back. Modernization is a term often used to describe the transformation from more
traditional organizations of society to industrialized society as we see in most cultures
today. Put more simply, it is the transition from the past to the present. In this lesson,
we'll go back about a thousand years to consider the factors in how the world has
become more modernized.
Characteristics of Modernisation:
1. It is a revolutionary process.
2. It is a multidimensional process.
3. It is a universal process.
4. It is a complex process.
5. It is a global process.
6. It is a irreversible process.
7. It is a continuous and lengthy process.
8. It is a systematic process.
9. It indicates scientific temper, rationality and secular attitude.
10. It is a phased process.
11. Modernized society is an open society.
12. It is a progressive society.
13. It is a critical process because it requires not only a relatively stable new structure but also
capable of adopting continuously changing conditions and problems.
14. It is a centralized process.
Modernisation is critical in the sense that it requires not only a relatively stable new structure
in the society but it also expects that the society must acquire capability of adopting to
continuously changing conditions and problems. Its success depends on the ability of the
society to respond the elements. But all societies don’t respond modernisation uniformly.
As a sociologist, S.C. Dube has classified development theories in four broad phases.
In the first phase, development essentially meant economic development and economists
focussed their attention exclusively on economic growth. The basic idea was to achieve
maximum output and to ensure capital formation. It was assumed, if output increases,
distribution would automatically take place.
In the second phase, the relationship between economic development and social change was
realized. It was felt that economic development and technological changes are hindered by
institutional factors. Thus, modifications in institutional framework of society and alterations
in attitudes and values were to be contemplated to facilitate and accelerate the process of
economic development.
In the third phase, issue of unequal development was the centre of concern. New concept of
human-centered development emerged and called for greater access for the common man to
planning process.
The fourth and contemporary approach to development has a wide perspective. It questions
the relevance of existing world order and national order in facilitating such development,
which could benefit all sections of the society. It was proposed that Fhe culture of
development has to be changed.
Daniel Lerner was an American scholar and writer who gave a modernisation theory
based on the use of mass media. Lerner focused his work of the role of the mass media as a
means of promotion of economic and social development in post-colonial countries. His
theory of modernisation is decidedly west-centric and lays great stress on the superiority of
the American cultural, social, economic and political systems. In his book, “The Passing of
Traditional Society: Modernising the Middle East”, Lerner tries to work out a theory of
modernisation. He states that societies can make a shift from traditional to modern through
the help of mass media. According to Lerner, the process of modernisation begins when the
rural population of a country starts to shift from the rural areas to the urban areas prompted
by economic factors like better opportunities. This leads to an increased rate of urbanisation
and the population that now exists in the urban areas has basic needs that need to be fulfilled.
This is a need for better education systems, markets that allow free trade, and other
institutions that are founded on modern and democratic lines. Media consumption also grows
exponentially in the urban population. The growth of literacy and media consumption leads to
higher economic participation and political participation.
Lerner’s model of cultural and intellectual superiority is based on the process of cultural
maturity that is divided into three phases. These are as following:
 the traditional phase
The traditional phase is characterised by the following and practice of traditional values and
ideas that lead to backwardness.
 the transitional phase

The transitional phase starts to see a shift in the values and ideas of the society.
 the modern phase
The modern phase is characterised by capitalism, technological advancement and on the

sociocultural front by women’s empowerment and rise in modern education. The elites hold
an important position in this phase.
Various dimensions of modernisation are:
Industrial Growth
Flashback to Medieval England, where we meet a peasant named Agador. He's living in the
pre-industrial society of feudalism. His personal world is quite small, and only his family and
village are relevant to him on a day-to-day basis.
Market Economy and Innovation

Modernization has also involved a shift to a market economy, where prices depend on
supply and demand and on competition between private businesses. This economy emerged
over time as conditions in various regions led to a change from more traditional forms of
commerce.
Literacy
One invention, the printing press, helped spark a dramatic increase in literacy, the ability to
read and write, which fueled modernization. Literacy had spread in the past for other reasons,
such as one region or religion conquering another and trade between those selling and buying
goods and services.
Bureaucratization
New ideas can't be implemented without a process. This is where bureaucratization comes
in. Bureaucratization is the process of establishing documented rules, regulations, and roles,
including a hierarchy.
Criticism
From the 1970s, modernization theory has been criticized by numerous scholars,
including Andre Gunder Frank and Immanuel Wallerstein . In this model, the modernization
of a society required the destruction of the indigenous culture and its replacement by a more
Westernized one. By one definition, modern simply refers to the present, and any society still
in existence is therefore modern.

Characteristics of Modernisation:: As A Sociologist, S.C. Dube Has Classified Development Theories in Four Broad Phases

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Characteristics of Modernisation:: As A Sociologist, S.C. Dube Has Classified Development Theories in Four Broad Phases

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Characteristics of Modernisation:: As A Sociologist, S.C. Dube Has Classified Development Theories in Four Broad Phases

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

In everyday conversation we use the term 'modern' to describe present technology and

7. It is a continuous and lengthy process.

9. It indicates scientific temper, rationality and secular attitude.

10. It is a phased process.

11. Modernized society is an open society.

12. It is a progressive society.

14. It is a centralized process.

 the traditional phase

 the transitional phase

 the modern phase

The modern phase is characterised by capitalism, technological advancement and on the

Various dimensions of modernisation are:

Market Economy and Innovation

You might also like