MODERNIZATION

THEORY
Aunjanue’ Waite
Samoya Gordon
Zandria Morris
Donoie Wright
Briana Hilton
Tameka Palmer
Modernization is a process of social change that is
based on scientific approach and logic
According to S.C Dubey; “Modernization is a
process that explains the change from traditional or
semi conventional stage to any desired forms of
technology and the nature, values, motivations and
social normative rules of the social structure
attached to them.”
 Characteristics of Modernization

Modernization leads to increase in

urbanization, equality, freedom and
democratic values.
Modernism increases economic and political
participation. • In the process of modernism,
there is opposition to popular practices,
stereotypes and values, so in modernization
practical science develops.
 MODERNIZATION TALCOTT PARSONS

TENETS OF
MODERNIZATION
TALCOTT PARSONS ( CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
HE PRESENTED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
TWO SOCIETIES ( TRADITIONAL AND MODERN

HE ARGUED THAT IN ORDER TO MOVE FROM A

TRADITIONAL SOCIETY TO A MODERN SOCIETY,
THERE HAD TO BE A CHANGE IN THE VALUES,
NORMS AND ATTITUDES OF THE PEOPLE
MODERNIZATION

TENETS OF
MODERNIZATION
W.W. ROSTOW ( ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

HE WAS INTERESTED IN DESCRIBING THE ENTIRE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH A

SOCIETY DEVELOPS IN DIFFERENT STAGES

ROSTOW POSITED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS COULD BE DIVIDED INTO

(5) FIVE STAGES
TRADITIONAL
PRECONDITIONS FOR TAKEOFF
TAKEOFF
DRIVE TO MATURITY
AGE OF HIGH MASS CONSUMPTION
MODERNIZATION
 MODERNIZATION

DEVELOPERS OF THE THEORY

IN THE EARLY PERIODS OF
THE MODERNIZATION
THEORY DURKEIM AND
WEBER INTERPRETATION
OF DEVELOPMENT CAME DURKEIM {1893}
ABOUT IDENTIFIED TWO TYPED
OF SOCIETY :
TRADITIONAL AND
MODERN
MODERNIZATION

DEVELOPERS OF THE THEORY

DURKEIM IS OF THE VIEW THAT
THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE
GAVE WAY TO THE MODERN
SOCIETY AS INCREASING
POPULATION RESULTED IN
WHERE HE EXPLAINED THAT
COMPETITION FOR SCARCE
NEW RESOURCES COULD BE
RESOURCES.
GENERATED IN RESPONSE TO
POPULATION INCREASE AS IT
LED TO GRADUAL DIVISION
OF LABOUR.
MODERNIZATION

DEVELOPERS OF THE THEORY

ON THE OTHER HAND MAX
WEBER( 1971) EXPLAINED THE
CHANGE FROM TRADITIONAL LIKE DURKEIM, WEBER SAW A
TO MODERN SOCIETY AS A DISTINCTION IN IDEAS AND
RESULT OF CULTURAL VALUES BETWEEN THE
PROCESS ( RATIONALIZATION) TRADITIONAL LEISURELY PRE
TO WESTERN SOCIETY CAPITALIST CULTURE AND
THE DILIGENT
HARDWORKING ETHOS OF
THE MODERN CULTURE.
 MODERNIZATION

CRITISMS
It is ethnocentric as it
1. DEVATES TRADITIONAL VALUES AND SOCIAL
INSTITUTIONS (EXTENDED FAMILY)
2. IGNORES INCREASING INEQUALITY WITHIN AND
BETWEEN COUNTRIES
3. ASSUMES UNLIMITED NATURAL RESOURCES FOR
INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION
MODERNIZATION

THANK YOU!!!