Social_Change

Social Change and Modernization Social change as a sociological term is defined as, alterations in basic structures of a social group or society. Social change is an ever present phenomenon in social life, but has become especially intense in the modern era. The origins of modern sociology can be traced to attempts to understand the dramatic changes shattering the modern world and promoting new forms of social order. An example of this is globalization. For examples throughout human history the vast majority of people produced their own food and shelter and lived in tiny groups or small villages. Even at the height of the most developed civilizations- such as ancient Rome or China- fewer than 10% of the population lived in urban areas. In present day United States only 2%-3% of people work in agriculture and 90% of people now live in urban areas. Urbanization in the rest of the world is also changing at a rapid pace due to economic activity. By 2030, about 60% of the world population is expected to live in urban areas and in more developed regions as high as 81% of people are expected to be urbanized (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2010). Other examples of social change include Technology influx in recent years such as email, cell phone, online social networks. In the past communicating with other was held to certain constraints such as mail or face to face interact, Increased voting rights in the United States for women and people of other ethnicity, And finally Everyone is required to go be educated to an elementary standard education "Everyone has the right to education (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2010). Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Modernization is a concept that says the development of societies is a standard evolutionary pattern or tendency for growth ( Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2010). This is also recognized in evolutionism theories where societies evolve from primitive barbarism to ever greater levels of development and civilization. They would grow more modern, industrialized, wealthier, and more powerful. The key features of modernization are democratization, quality of life, industrialization economy quality, increased knowledge, urbanization, material production (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2010). The four examples of modernization are as follows Computer technology/email as opposed to writing by hand, typewriter, word processor and using snail mail, getting your news and info by television, computer, and telephones as opposes to horse or boat and hand delivery (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2010). Availability of agricultural goods (fruit, meats, etc) with the advance of faster means of delivery, Medical advancements, longer life span, less death due to viruses, certain diseases eradicated, operations, transplants, medicine, etc, woman’s rights, the ability to vote and be considered equal with men ( Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2010). References Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2010). Modernization. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernization Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2010). Social change. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_change