Social Change

Sociology has subject matter of social continuity and social change .

Social Change is continuous process , it has starting point but not end point ,
Human beings always love change , and to bring that change we apply new
ideas , go for innovation and we are keeping new vision in mind , we go for
advancement of knowledge and this leads to evolution of civilization
Change can be
technological
institutional
ideological => Value Transformation , change in customs , culture
Process of change :
Evolutionary : Slow change
Revolutionary :
Based on planning :
Planned , directed : e.g. 5 year plan , laws ,
Unplanned change : natural calamity , revolution, 
Based on scale of change :
Large scale change : Change due to Britishers , globalization,
Intermediary Change : Digitalization
Small scale change :  Due to pandemic
Change in structure : Limited restricted change e.g. Mobility , Sanskritization,
Women empowerment
Change of structure  : When Capitalism is replaced Communism , Feminist
Demanding to abolish Patriarchy - Not marrying , not bearing children.

Approaches to social Change

Evolutionary theory :
Borrowing idea from biology , it says change takes place in steps , change
is slow and deliberative but line of change is fixed. Like Human being
evolve from Human Erectus to Human Sapiens . Society moves from
traditional to progressive society
Unilineal Evolution :
Evolution takes place in staged ,
pre define manner
in gradual way .
 This change is in specific direction and can't be reversed
e.g. Auguste Compte ,
Theological , Animism => Polytheism => Monism
Metaphysical : Rationality => Progressive thinking
Scientific Stage : Innovation
Karl Marx Primitive Communism => Ancient socialism =>
Feudalism => Capitalism => Communism
Louis henry Morgan => Barbarism => Savagery => Modernity
E. B Tyler : Magic => Religion => Science
Universal Evolution :
Thermodynamics : energy only get transformed from one form to
other form.
Same matter is using multiple kinds of technology , from
uniformity we are moving towards to heterogeneity
Law of Biology , Thermodynamics gives universal evolution theory,
Change is universal
e.g. Energy forms fire => Electricity => Petrol => Solar =>
Methanol  
Hence we move from Simple society to doubly compound society
to triply compound society
Durkheim : Simple Society to Complex society due to
technological advances
Ferdinend Tonnies : Geminsshaft to Gesselshaft.
Parsons : Parsons used Spencer theory , Based on advancement of
technology
baseline stage to advanced primitive stage =>
Historic Intermediary society e.g. Mesopotian society, Chinese
society , unsettled agriculture
Progressive Intermediary Society : Agriculture is developed ,
class structure is developed
Industrial society :
Hence all earlier scholars were influenced by evolutionary theory.
Multilineal Evolution
Sahlins and Service
Same technological advances can be used by different
cultures differently.
 Technological Advances are being used for traditional
purpose , Computers are used for astrology , UV rays being
used for Sex determination ,
Green Revolution in India is different from Green Revolution
in NewZealand . NZ went for crop diversification along with
GR , while India is still focusing on Wheat and rice leading to
soil degradation , agrarian distress.
They Advocate that culture , Environment largely defines the
nature and form of use of technology, hence General
adoptive capacity of a soceity, ultimately defines multiple
forms of evolution.
Richard Lenski :
Industry is adopted by different society differently , e.g. In
japan entrepreneural families are controlled by families while
America industries are controlled by individuals, China -
industry is controlled by state.
Hence evolution is multilineal , neither unilineal nor universal
Cyclic Theory
Plato's Theory :

Plato talks about system of governance moving in cyclic direction

Monarchy : He considers monarchy is best , as here philosopher
king (men of Gold) is helm of public affairs , he brings equality ,
justice , doesn't have any vested interest
Aristocracy : Handful of people replaced monarchy
 Timocracy : Armed revolutionaries capture power , e.g. Chengiz
Khan
Oligarchy : Militantistic groups of people with regularized military
e.g. Babar
Democracy : Other name of democracy is mobocracy , violence
in parliament , everybody's rule is nobody's rule and there will be
confusion, crisis hence he considers democracy is worst form of
administration , where everybody speaks nobody listens.
Hindu Cycle of time

Kaliyuga : Disorder , Violence , war , destruction  (corruption)

Sattya
Iban Khaldun: Birth => Growth => Maturity => death => (Birth of new
civilization)
Once a civilization riches it's apex point there won't be any innovation
, creativity, new ideas or borrow ideas from other ideas and there will
be epitome of development after that there will be decline. e.g. Indus
Valley Civilization.
In every society there is minority of people who are intellectuals and
are adding creativity in society , when these people are not
encouraged or are on decline that leads to decline of civilization
 In the form of Machine replacement for every human task, human
brain, memory . once they refuse to accept the commands there will
be destruction.
Post AI , there won't be much left beings to think about .
Science and development  is leading to declaration
Arnold Toynbee :When a civilization is near death different kinds of
saviors make appearance :
1. Archaist : They try to take people back into golden age of civilization,
they promise people that following their footsteps will bring progress
and happiness again and these are mostly Fundamentalist
2. Futurist : People who tried to protect decline of civilization through
Armed Rebellion or militantism e.g. Hitler , Taliban
3. Detached People : They are indifferent and they know they can't
protect civilization , are unsure about the future , They think through
detachment new ideas may come to people . e.g. Gautum Buddha ,
Guru Nanak
4. Transfigured Religious Saviors :  Cult leaders who glorify their
preachings as way to save civilization from crisis e.g. Sadhguru
Vilfredo Pareto :
Makes distinction between
Residues  : . Psychological attributes , tendency we uphold that we
get by birth or through socialization. e.g. People driven by wealth
residues - capitalists , corrupt officers ,
Residues of Combination : It consists of Residue of innovation
and residue of manipulation , Carried by foxes who rule by
cunning and tact e.g. Opposition joining hands against Modi,
Manipulate facts to get public attention.
Residue of Persistence of Aggregate : Based on numeric ,
military strength , United we can cease power and are
unbeatable e.g. Lions
History is graveyard of Aristocracy , one group of elite replace
to other group of elite, Hence masses never rule , but elites
rule masses in circular way. Elite rule is fact and democracy is
myth.
Derivations :
Alvin Toffler : discoveries offer foundation to a civilization and discovery
is subsequently discovery is supported by invention.
 Form of Invention : Columbus discovered America, Vasco Da Gama
Discovered India
Form of diffusion :Whatever is invented is diffused to other society .
And hence civilization start homogenizing .
When invention stops , civilizations will become timid , lose it's
significance and will have nothing to offer to others.
e.g. Afghanistan is not going for invention , largely dependent on
international help, if that help is not given to them , then that
civilization is not given then it may collapse.
Pritvin Sorokin: Pendulum Theory : Talks about 3 kinds of culture
Ideational Culture : where spiritualization is present and other
worldly values are glorified, conventional morality , ethics are
operating as foundation to act , architecture , believes and customs
which are guided by traditional values and culture. Which August
Compte says theological stage- where man finds out answer to his
questions in Divinity and E.B Tyler's idea of Magic
Idealistic Culture : Stage of transitional where old values are not
competly destroyed and new values are not completely adopted .
Partly we believe in worth and partly in our faith .
Senset Culture : Rationality , Scientific Orientation , Utilitarianism, Non
Emotional Virtues - every traditional society .
Every society starts with Ideational Characterstics and moves to senset
culture .
People who are dissatisfied with senset culture , despite materialistic
wealth they are lacking satisfaction , become part of idealistic culture
and eventually to Ideational culture. e.g. ISKCON.
Criticism :
Cyclic theory is not universally applicable, as many cultures are not
following same path e.g. Some may die out in early stage, some may
go for self renewal : Elements of abnormality are eroded and invented
new ways hence instead of dying out culture becomes more
progressive
Functional Theory :
Durkheim : Simple society , Simple segmental society , polysegmental
society
First change in
material density - size of population ,
then Dynamic Density - Frequency of interaction and
 moral density is social integration ,
From Mechanical Solidarity to Organic Solidarity.
he talks about change on organizational character of society which
impacts on individual behavior .
Durkheim is looking into change in form of scale of change:
If one individual is deviating then society ignores/tolerates it -
Microscopic Change ,
But when intensity of change is high and carries capacity to
disintegrate society then it is punished .
And if change is absolute then old normal is replaced by new
normal.
Change is regular phenomenon and every change brings new
continuity
Parsons : Change is gradual , spontaneous and regular phenomenon .
Change comes in prominence when organismic system is adopting to
environment gathering information , which then is converted into needs .
Every change gives rise to new form of continuity as change is not
accidental , revolutionary but change is demanded by personality
system deliberated and consensual by social system and culture
system,
e.g. Govt introduced New Farm Bill for change in Agriculture , Social
system initiated the change , but peasants - personality system didn't
accept the change , hence social system repealed the change and the
equilibrium is maintained
Change of values give rise to social change . Shift from Pattern
Variable A to Pattern Variable B - New Modern society with values of
rationality, achievement orientation , individualism ,
Criticism :
This is conservative in nature as it  talks only about change in structure
and not change of structure caused by absolute , revolutionary
change. e.g. M.N Srinivas .
This is criticized by Melvin Tumin ,  In every society there is tension,
anxiety , and hence there is desire for change , but Change is not
always deliberated and negotiated to Minimize change it is
suppressed , (rusticate protesters ), Hence when cost of change is high
, change is prohibited ,

Conflict Theory:
Marx - Conflict is endemic to social life . History of society is history of
conflict .
Dialectical relation between conflicting classes and Change in modes
of production , Technological progress gives rise to human progress
which then leads to social progress, Conflict gives rise to progress ,
Hence social change and social progress are complementary in
Marxian sociology =>
And who should be having control over new progress is decided
based on dialectical relationship between classes. If society is driven
by false class consciousness , benefits of change will be appropriated
by haves , when society is driven by true class consciousness , change
will be appropriated by have nots.
Change driven by False class consciousness will be miniscule and
change driven by true class consciousness will be revolutionary.
Objective of change is to promote happiness for all
Change from feudalism to Capitalism is quantitative but change from
capitalism to communism is qualitative.
Primitive Communism => Ancient society => Feudalism => Capitalist
=> Communism
George Simmel :
Change whether coming through consensus or conflict , degree , form
, nature of change are human decision , Hence change is not
necessarily negative or progressive  or dialectical .
In every society human relationships are driven by different factors -
suspicion , adjustment, negotiation , conflict , co-operation.
Functionalist highlight Cooperation while conflict theory highlight
conflict , but we use both in daily life . When negotiation doesn't work
we use conflict . Hence conflict is not something negative but is
functional. Conflict is giving rise to new law, innovation , creativity
Louise Coser : functions of Conflict
Conflict is way to release anxiety , frustration
Conflict gives new direction to social change . e.g. Conflict in
Parliament brings reforms
Conflict makes relationships stronger e.g. When one realizes and
accepts mistakes
Randall Collins :
Major conflicts in modern society is not for social transformation or to
destroy system
 conflict arises out of unequal distribution of resources . e.g. Labourers
are engaged in protest not to destroy industry but to better adopt
with it
Conflict arises for capturing power, hence conflict is not based on
ideology but on interest, issues .
Conflict brings parity and connectedness
Hence conflict is good for society  , regular and temporal in society
and scale of conflict is not that high as spelled out by Karl Marx.

Modernization Theory
Founder of Modernization theory is Max Weber , To make society modern
, we need appropriate substance and values . in protestant ethics and
capitalism.
Thurston Veblem : Critique to Karl Marx , he tells that social structure
changes only with change in habits of people and through the change in
thought and ideology of masses .
Habit is way of life and living ,
luxury becomes comfort  and Comfort becomes necessity , Hence
change in habits will bring modernity automatically. e.g. Need Hair
dressers , Beauty Parlour , Shopping once a month becomes normal
Hobhouse : Man in search of freedom accepts to enslavement . e.g.
Constitution gives us freedom and at the same time we are getting
restricted
Theory of systematic effort : If  in a country , systematic effort are
made , invest money in education , give progressive values , create
human capacity , Hence only by introducing technology can't make
society modern, systematic efforts are required . e.g. African society
only borrowed technology and didn't had systematic effort
Wilbert Moore : debate started around why western development model
is not bringing modernity in 3rd world countries, Moore Advocates that :
Modernization in 3rd world countries is restrictive because of
traditional values , blind belives , corruption in public place , lack of
adoptability to new tech, absence of commitment to work , protests
and movements , Marginalization of middle class give way to
development of underdevelopment , Hence in 3 rd world countries ,
limits to modernity is not failure of modernity , but it is a problem of
structural value , maladjustment.
W.W Rustow :
 Book - Stages of Economic Growth - A non - communist Manifesto
He says all economies of the world start at same stage and arrive at
same stage , hence there is no need of revolution .
Incipient Stage : No technology , hunting gathering society,
Pre Take Up Stage : These society are coming in contact with other
state , developing trade and commerce , mercantile relationships
with other society
Take Up Stage : Confident of growth,  find out secure trade
markets , technological support , transportation and
communication system
Drive towards Maturity : More trade, more surplus , investment on
infrastructure , healthcare, Employment for all e.g. Atmanirbhar
Bharat
Mass Consumption : So much of wealth with State and people
that everyone will be spending money on consumerism .
Hence planning rationally , and appropriate utilization of resources
with appropriate values any country can achieve development
Gunner Myrdel : In his book Asian Drama , indicates that in 3rd world
countries to accelerate modernity , one need to go for both economic and
non economic transformation
Economic includes : to change conditions of production , levels of
living , increase in output and change in work culture
Non economic factors : Change in attitude and values of
people,Change in institutional values and ethos and change in
people's orientation towards their life and destiny
Modernization theory believes that modernization is technological ,
institutional and ideological . Modernization can contribute for complete
structural transformation , however obstruction to modernity is neutralized
effectively then 3rd world countries can register equal growth like
developed countries in west.

29/11/21

Development and Dependency

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