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Pratibha.B.S. MAD11030.

___________________________________________________________________________ The passing of traditional societies

----Daniel Lerner Lerner in this essay discusses the transition of traditional societies to modern societies with the influence of mass media. He argues for the change in the mind-set of the people by continually exposing them to the advantages of modern societies though mass media. He believed that mere institutional changes cannot bring about change. The key indices of development a urbanization, re literacy and mass media. One of the crucial aspects of modernisation is the development of a mobile personality which is characterised by rationality and empathy. Empathy helps see people in other s shoes and this enhances participation. The traditional societies were content with the skills of their own and the skills were passed on from generations to generations. The political system also acted locally.He starts with the argument that common problems and not common solutions which bring people together in a modern society. Lerner goes on to argue that there are certain components of western model which are global. He brings to fore the idea of individuals making rational choice for a better life. It is not only personal mobility in search of better opportunities but social mobility based on empathy and rationality which is the basis of social change. An empathetic individual is urban, literate and participant. The mass media transcends the physical experience to vicarious experience in myriad situations. Mass media acts both as an index and agent of social change. In a primitive setup, literacy is used to reduce human effort. But as the society modernises literacy is pivotal in shaping the opinions of people, share skills and information, facilitates participation. This theory of modernisation is not truly global. There are not universal in the sense of applying all these principles where the countries, societies are diverse and are at different stages of development. There is an innate danger of introducing these symbols of modernity without developing a strong framework for its implementation. The key aspect is development is all dependent on the empathy of the people. This theory is largely based on macroeconomics..

The stages of economic growth: A Non-communist manifesto -----W.W.Rostow W.W.Rostow, an economic historian essentially believed that economic growth could be achieved through five stages of economic growth. The first stage (traditional society)

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Pratibha.B.S. MAD11030.

This society is essentially marked by limited output in production, where agriculture is the main industry, with limited access to modern science and technology. Society, family form an important part of the social order. The second stage (pre-conditions for take-off) This stage is a stage of transition. Industrialisation does not take place overnight. First, growth in certain sectors propels the investment through building institutions which mobilise capital like banks, and investment grows in transport, education. But, the traditional social sectors remain the same. This phase may take place in 10 to 50 years of time. The third stage (take-off) In this stage, the old traditions are overcome and economic progress becomes the norm of the society. Agriculture sees growth and the economy grows as a result of processes to meet the demands of the new economic groups. The fourth stage (drive to maturity) In this stage, there is a tendency to extend modern technology to all the economic activities. About 10% to 20% of GDP is invested and economy becomes of international order. The focus shifts from producing for them to making profits in a competitive market. The fifth stage (the age of high mass consumption) This stage marks the production of durable consumer goods and services. This stage not only ensures basic needs, but also the excess resources are used for social welfare and security. Thus th e concept of welfare State .

The entire argument of W.W.Rostow is more suitable for a capitalist form of economy and whether this is applicable to other economies is questionable. The welfare state concept is a mere manifestation of use of modern technology. The stages of economic growth culminate in mass production, which promotes high levels of consumerism. There is also an innate danger of developing or under developed countries heavily becoming dependent on the modern technology of these modern developed countries. Even the concept of welfare state is a policy, seen as a result of development and not vice-versa. This type of modernisation creates a capitalist class and a working class. This theory is essentially a function of microeconomics.

Response paper 1

Pratibha.B.S. MAD11030.