Chapter 23

Social Change in
Global Perspective
Chapter Outline

 What is Social Change?

 Theories of Social Change
 The Causes of Social Change
 Modernization
 Global Theories of Social Change
 Diversity, Globalization and Social Change
Characteristics of Social Change

1. Social change is uneven.

2. The onset and consequences of social
change are often unforeseen.
3. Social change often creates conflict.
4. The direction of social change is not random.
Functionalist Theory
of Social Change

 Societies change from simple to complex, from

undifferentiated to highly differentiated division
of labor.
 Technology is the primary cause of social
change.
Conflict Theory of Social Change

 Conflict is an inherent component of social

relations.
 Economic conflict between social classes is the
cause of social change.
Cyclical Theory of Social Change

 Societies go through a life cycle or life span.

 The necessity for growth is the primary cause
of social change.
 Cyclical Theory: Three Phases

1. Idealistic culture - society wrestles with the

tension between the ideal and the practical.
2. Ideational culture - emphasizes faith and new
forms of spirituality.
3. Sensate culture - stresses partial approaches
to reality and involves the hedonistic.
Causes of Social Change

 Collective Behavior  Social Movements

 Cultural Diffusion  Inequality
 Technological  Population
Innovation  War
Characteristics of Modernization

 Decline of small, traditional communities.

 Traditional ties of kinship decrease and society
experiences feelings of uncertainty and
powerlessness.
 Decline in importance of religious institutions
and people begin to feel they have lost control
of their lives.
Global Theories of Social Change

 Globalization involves increased

interconnectedness that can erase or magnify
cultural differences.

 Modernization Theory - global development is

a worldwide process affecting all societies
touched by technological change.
Global Theories of Social Change

 World Systems Theory - nations are

members of a worldwide system of unequal
political and economic relationships.
 Dependency theory - industrialized nations
tend to imprison developing nations through
trade and debt dependency.
Diversity and Social Change

 Diversity is both a cause and an effect of social

change.
 Diversity as a cause of change is exemplified
in immigration effects.
 Diversity as an effect of change is exemplified
by unequal outcomes of modernization on
different ethnic groups.