MODERNISATION

The term modernisation “does not denote any philosophy or movement, but it only
symbolises a process of change”. In fact, “modernisation” is understood as a process which
indicates the adoption of the modern ways of life and values.” The term was being used
previously to refer only “to change in the economy and its related effect on social values and
practices.” Today, the term ‘modernisation’ is understood as an attempt, mainly those
custom-bound, to adapt themselves to the present time, conditions, styles, and ways in
general.

Definitions

According to Smelser, “Modernisation is a complex set of changes that place almost in every
part of society as it attempts to be industrialised. Modernisation involves an ongoing change
in a society’s economy, politics, education, traditions and religion.”

According to Alatas, “Modernisation is a process by which modern scientific knowledge is

introduced in the society with the ultimate purpose of achieving a better and a more
satisfactory life in the broadest sense of the term as accepted by the society concerned”.

Meaning

The term modernisation does not denote any philosophy or movement, but it only symbolises
a process of change. Modernisation is understood as a process that indicates the adoption of
modern ways of life and values. The term was used previously to refer only to change in the
economy and its related effect on social values and practices. Today, the term is understood
as an attempt, particularly those custom-based, to adapt to the present time, conditions, styles,
and ways in general. It indicates a change in people’s food habits, dress habits, speaking
styles, tastes, choices, preferences, ideas, values, recreational facilities, etc. It is also
described as “social change involving the use of science and technology”. The scientific and
technological innovations have brought about remarkable changes in the whole system of
social relationships and installed new ideologies in the place of traditional ones.

Criteria of Modernity or Measures of Modernisation

Rustow and Ward mentioned some measures of modernisation. They are:

a) Industrialisation of the economy and adopting a scientific technology in the
industry, agriculture, dairy farming, etc.
b) Secularisation of ideas.
c) Remarkable increase in geographic and social mobility, which includes social
mobility.
d) A spread of scientific and technical education.
e) A transition from ascribed to achieved status.
f) An increase in material standard of living.
g) High proportion of working force employed in secondary and tertiary rather than
primary production.
h) High expectancy of life at birth; and
i) Relatively more significant measure of public participation in the polity.
Causes of Modernisation

Myron Weiner speaks of five main instruments which make modernisation possible:

1. Education: Education about science and technology provides the basis of modernisation.
Education increases modern skills and attitudes. It creates skills and attitudes essential for
technological innovation. This is the reason why in recent decades, education, including mass
communication is given utmost importance.
2. Mass Communication: The process of modernisation hinges on the phenomenon of mass
communication. Mass communication, including newspapers, periodicals and magazines,
TV, radio, telephone, etc., is a necessary means of spreading modern ideas faster. The
function of mass communication is to open up to larger masses in society new information,
new thoughts, new attitude and new aspirations, which lead them to further achievement.
3. Ideology based on Nationalism: Nationalism and Democracy is much linked with
modernisation. Nationalism is concerned with national awareness and political consensus.
The nationalistic ideologies serve as a unifying influence in bridging social cleavages within
plural societies. They also help the political elite in changing the behaviour of masses of
people.
4. Charismatic Leadership: A Charismatic leader is in a better position to impress upon the
people to adopt modern beliefs, values, practices and behaviour patterns. This, in another
way, helps in national development.
5. Coercive Government Authority: A solid and stable government may adopt coercive
measures to compel people to accept modern values and ways of life. It also brings pressures
on the people to follow modern methods and practices.

Impact of Modernisation

a. Development of modern means of transport: Process of modernisation and industrialisation

and technological developments, especially in transportation, means of communication and
information technology has made closer interaction possible. Shortening the geographical
distances had brought people living in distant areas together.
b. Industrialisation of the economy: Industrialisation began under British rule to build a
modern India. Thus, with the advent of industrialisation, the whole economic system of India
transformed.
c. Revolutionized Production: The industrialisation process increased domestic production in
India to a great extent. The most revolutionised areas were agriculture and textile production.
d. Discredited traditional occupations: Modernisation and emergence of white-collared jobs
based on formal education tended to make many conventional occupations obsolete, as they
were considered less paying, more hazardous or time-consuming. Industrialisation had eroded
the authority of caste and kinship in matters of occupation. New occupations that emerged
gave the choice of occupation, but accessibility depended on modern education, knowledge
of the English language and loyalty to the British.
e. Unemployment increased: Very few of them could join current occupations. Most people
could neither enter the modern sector nor stick to their traditional occupations, considering
the menial work derogatory. In the near absence of industrial, commercial or social service
activity, most of them had no option but to join a band of agricultural labours, industrial
workers, and marginal labour to survive or increase the number of unemployed or
underemployed.
f. Caste more liberal in the social sphere: In modern India, the spread of literacy and growing
awareness among masses has already brought to an end slowly but steadily many of the
discriminatory practices and deformities developed in the Caste system while living under
alien rule. It has become more liberal and less restrictive in the social life of the people.
Castes no longer enjoy legal or religious sanctions.
g. Less restrictive: Expulsion from castes means little, while earlier, it meant complete social
ostracism. The old style of authority and power exercised by caste-elders has already
diminished except for a few rural areas, especially in Haryana and Rajasthan. Restrictions or
interactions between different castes arising from purity and pollution are fading away from
public life, even from rural areas. Traditional barriers to marriage, hereditary occupations and
commonality are losing their importance.
h. Other Impacts:
 Spread of Scientific and technical education.
 Adoption of Scientific Technology in industry and agriculture.
 Spread of literacy and media participation.
 The life expectancy of a child during birth increased, and also, the average life
expectancy of people increased due to the availability of drugs.

Constitutional and Legislative Effect by Modernisation after Independence

From the 15th of August 1947 onwards, Independent India is committed to democratic,
secular and egalitarian principles as enshrined in the Constitution of India. The preamble of
the Indian Constitution promises to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and
political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status
and opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the
individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation. Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits
discrimination on caste, race, religion, gender or place of birth; Article 16 gives equality of
opportunity in public employment. Article 338 creates the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes to safeguard their interests etc. The government took different five-year
plans to develop both the agricultural and industrial sectors and reasonable allocation of
resources for overall development. Provisions for the protection of low-caste people –
Several amendments in the Constitution and legislation have been passed to remove the
disabilities of backward people. Untouchability has been declared a crime. Bonded labour is
abolished by law. Civil Rights Act, 1955, aims to eliminate injustice against weaker sections.
Amendment to Prevention of Atrocities Act (SCT) 1989 provides stern punishments for
offences committed against SCT by Upper Castes. Special Courts, under SCT Act, have been
established for punishing officials if found guilty. Other than the provisions of protecting
lower and below caste people, different legislations were passed to save the life, dignity and
honour of the people of different castes. Inter-caste and inter-religious marriages were first
time recognised and were given statutory protection. The Right to hold property was made a
constitutional or statutory right rather than a fundamental right by the Constitutional
Amendment. Different intellectual properties were recognised and given statutory protection
as India entered into different treaties to protect intellectual properties, such as the Laws
relating to Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and allied rights. Lastly, it can be said that the
Supreme Court of India’s role too has led to the process of Modernisation. It increased the
horizon and ambit of the Right to life and personal liberty as guaranteed by Article 21 of the
Constitution of India. It held in various judgements that the Right to life under Article 21
does not mean mere animal existence, but it includes the Right to live a life of dignity and
honour. It too gave protection to the privacy of one’s life and also brought within it the Right
to education.

Problems of Modernisation

Ram Ahuja speaks of five main problems of modernisation. They are briefly stated below:

1. Modernisation demands that society must change in all ways at once. But such a regular
and coordinated pattern of growth cannot be planned and materialised. Hence, some amount
of social interest is bound to be there—for example, the discrepancy between mass education
and employment opportunities.
2. During the period of modernisation, structural changes mostly remain uneven. For
example, industries may be modernised, but a religious system, family system, etc., remain
conservative.
3. Modernisation of social and economic institutions may create conflicts with the traditional
ways of life. For example, trained MBBS doctors may pose a threat to conventional medical
practitioners.
4. Another problem is that most often, roles adopted by the people are modern, but their
values continue to be traditional. For example, new business firms and industrial
establishments and shops are either opened or inaugurated as per the dictates of conventional
“Muhurtam”.
5. Yet another is that there is a lack of cooperation among agencies that modernised and
among those institutions and systems already updated. This is more or less like the problem
of “cultural lag”.

Finally, though modernisation raises people’s aspirations, the social system does not provide
enough chances to materialise them. This creates frustration, disappointment and social
unrest.