Future of Modernization

Modernization has long been under sociological study; however, that study is only a hint of the effect of modernization on contemporary society. This essay will briefly cover the writing of Veblen and Tonnies (modernists) and then attempt to explain contemporary problems related to modernization. Although modern theorists were aware of the effect of modernization, it is unlikely they were able to grasp the speed of its escalation.

(Macionis 2006)

To¨nnies and Veblen

Both German Ferdinand To¨nnies (1855 - 1936) and American Thorstein Veblen

(1857 - 1929) were modernization theorists with broad knowledge of philosophy and social structure. They both studied Karl Marx and wrote critiques of his ideas. However, unlike Marx they were both non-activists devoting themselves to making change through writing. To¨nnies is most known for his work "Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft "(1935) and Veblen for "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899). (Tilman 2004)

Veblen

Veblen made the assertion that institutions, which were overly traditional and engaged in survival at the expense of others were not likely to survive nor contribute to the betterment of society. On the other hand, Veblen pointed out that institution which strived to develop scientific interest while at the same time pursuing altruism would survive and prosper. Veblen described the development of society in four stages: 1) Primitive Savagery- a stage where the focus was on the development of groups. 2) Barbarism- a stage of taking from other groups to control resources. 3) Handicrafts- this is the stage of individual craftsmanship where each person develops their own individual talents. 4) The Machine Era- this is the stage of business and corporate structure where individual craftsmanship is overridden to produce quantity with speed. The finer aspects of morality are lost in this era and Veblen points out that technology flourishes but without efficiency and value. (Tilman 2004)

To¨nnies

To¨nnies put human development into two main categories, the first termed Gemeinschaft, which in simple form is family. The family being the basic kind of unifying structure and other groups were similar to its structure. These groups include craftsman guilds, churches and other similar institutions. Within these groups, the individual retained identity but there was also unity. Gemeinschaft evolved into present day society, which he termed Gesellschaft. Gesellschaft is typified by disunity and isolation. To¨nnies wrote that Gesellschaft was not a bad thing but rather a catalyst for increased culture advancement. The city was the place of Gesellschaft, this is where art thrived, books were written, and culture rapidly advanced. This idea is in contrast to Veblen who saw change being made but did not necessarily qualify it as progress. (Tilman 2004)

This author tends to agree with To¨nnies since this is an optimistic viewpoint. The absence of optimism in the view of today's progress lends to apathy. Apathy in this author's opinion leads nowhere except futility.　　

Modernization and the Australian Aborigine

The modernization affect on the Australian Aborigine gives a clear view of the general affect on the world due to modernization. A study done through interviews on the aboriginal people of Australia showed how severe modernization could damage a culture. The study was conducted through a joint effort of Curtin University and Edith Cowan University. Today's aboriginal society in Australia is in danger of losing their culture. The aborigine youth are trying to keep up with technological education and at the same time trying to learn their own culture (normally a lifetime endeavor). The result is extreme psychological stress that has in some cases led to suicide. This cultural problem was compared to To¨nnies' terms "Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft "Just as in Gesellschaft the aborigines are losing their individuality. However, to the aborigine this is equal to losing their culture. Just as all over the world, the aborigine must learn English to absorb the new modernization. In many cases, this means the loss of the indigenous language and the culture as well. In the interviews conducted, the point was well made that there was a lack of capacity of the aborigine to assimilate both areas of knowledge. (Bishop, Colquhoun & Johnson 2006)

Modernization within the United States has led to the same lack of capacity to assimilate the tremendous amounts of information and retain moral structure as is evident in incidents like the Columbine shootings. The tremendous speed that modernization has affected the U.S. has in turn affected the rest of the world. Since America is the only superpower, it is spreading rapidly throughout the world. This is resulting in culture shock on a grand scale. The youth of the world will decide on learning from Sesame Street by television rather than learning their own culture from the elders of their own society. This is producing apathy among senior citizens and stress among the youth. The family and related group units are at risk. This again is the transition to Gesellschaft. As To¨nnies described this is the loss of the individual and the full transition from Gemeinschaft will mean isolation and loss of identity. In essence, a large part of America suffers this feeling of not having roots of culture. The new American culture is one of non-nationality and this non-nationality is spreading throughout the world. Along with the loss of culture may be a loss of moral structure, which is the fear of the Muslim countries of the world. They view this invasion by the U.S. as a threat to the very meaning of their lives and so are willing to battle to protect their way of life.

(Inglehart & Welzel2005)

Conclusion

Modernization is seen as a logical step by Veblen and Tonnies. They did not propose another era. Possibly their will be one but at this time modernization seems to be unstoppable. As the phrase goes, "you can't stop progress". Perhaps this is true but to cultures like the Australian Aborigine and the Muslim religion countries, this is an immediate threat to their way of life. Only time will tell if human culture will reach an equilibrium between modernization and the retention of culture.

Reference

Macionis J.J., (2006), Society: the basics, Eighth Edition, Prentice-Hall, Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc

Tilman R. (2004), Ferdinand To¨nnies, Thorstein Veblen and Karl

Marx: From community to society and back?, European Journal of the History of Economic Thought 11:4 579-606 winter 2004, Retrieved August 23, 2007 from Ebsco Host WIU Library

Inglehart R., Welzel C., (2005) Modernization, Cultural Change, and Democracy: The Human Development Sequence, Future Survey; Oct2005, Vol. 27 Issue 10, p7-8, Retrieved August 12, 2007 from Ebsco Host WIU Library.

Bishop B., Colquhoun S., Johnson G., (2006) Psychological sense of community: an Australian aboriginal experience, Journal of Community Psychology; Jan2006, Vol. 34 Issue 1, p1-7, 7p, Retrieved August 12, 2007 from Ebsco Host WIU Library.