Discas the main characteristics
feature of modern linea
Answers
Some of the most important characteristics of modernity are as follows:
The discipline of sociology has recently been flooded by literature on modernity, modernization and theories of modernization. The confusion on the meaning and definition is fast disappearing. Surely, there are various perspectives to look at; there is a definite consensus on the elements or the characteristics which constitute modernity.
Bauman, though a severe critique of modernity who calls it a holocaust, admits:
The modern age defined itself as, above all, the Kingdom of Reason and Rationality. Weber had a similar opinion. Almost all the theorists admit that the benefits of rationalization and industrialization, embodied in science and technology, were offset by the environmental and military excesses that scientific and technological progress allows. It is almost clear that the idea of rationality has triumphed in all areas of social life.
Modernity has become a model not for the west only but for all the former colonies of the world. Nisbet defined it as “technology, industrialism, democracy, secularism, individualism, equalitarianism, and for a few, socialism”.
There are a few sociologists who have counterpoised the attributes of traditionalism or backwardness or primitivism. For instance, Yogendra Singh in India has discussed modernity with reference to traditionalism. He dwells on the theme of the interaction between tradition and modernity.
These writings on tradition define it with reference to kinship, religion, ruralism, family and caste. The expected changes move from small-scale to large-scale societies, from simple to complex technology, and from personal to impersonal or anonymous relationships.
Myron Weiner with whom Indian intellectuals are well familiar made an attempt in 1966 to include writings of 25 western scholars in one volume. Modernization: The Dynamics of Growth. These scholars assumed that over a time, the rest of the world would become just like us. Thus, modernization is not only an evolutionary theory, it is an action programme.
A little later in 1968, Gunnar Myrdal came out with his three-volume book, Asian Drama: An Enquiry into the Poverty of Nations. While analyzing the situation of Asian countries, he concludes that the only alternative left with these nations is to adopt modernization as their way to progress. Bert Adams and R.A. Sydie, in their newly published book. Sociological Theory (2002) came to similar conclusion that modernity stands for progress and capitalism:
Capitalists, critics and Marxists all agreed that the world was headed toward large-scale capitalism. However, capitalists saw it as the end or completion of the process, while Marxists saw it as the semi-far stage, to be followed by worldwide revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. It is interesting to know that the discourse on modernity and modernization has passed through several researches and writings. This long exercise has helped us to bring out the basic characteristics of modernity.
We point them below:
1. Multi-dimensional:
The structure of modernity is multidimensional. While explaining modernity, Giddens argues that there are four institutional aspects of modernity. Giddens draws heavily on the thought of Marx and says that it would be mistaken to equate modernity with only liberalism, capitalism or industrialism.
It consists of four dimensions:
(1) Capitalism,
(2) Industrialism,
(3) Administrative power, and
(4) Military power.
2. Emergence of modern society from 15th century:
It is difficult to specify the exact date of the emergence of modernity. However, it is estimated that there came enlightenment sometime during 15th century. But modernity in the sense used here could hardly be said to exist in any developed form until the idea of the ‘modern’ was given a decisive formulation in the discourse of the enlightenment in the 18th century.
In the 19th century, modernity became identified with industrialism and the sweeping social, economic and cultural changes associated with it. In the 20th century many advanced industrial societies attained the status of modernity.
3. Role of internal and external forces:
The development of modernity is largely due to the interplay of internal and external forces. The west made its identity in relation to endogamous factors emanating from America and Europe. For instance, the invention of steam, an endogamous factor, influenced the whole production system. But, the European modernity was also influenced by the colonized countries. These countries provided raw material and new market. Thus, the development of modernity has been the outcome of internal and external factors.