Stepping into a New World

Stepping into a New World

Future of Modernization

When we question the future of modernization and the world we must do so by first examining the past as well as the current state of the Western world. Presently electoral democracy, the rule of law and the belief in individual rights characterize the Western world. Western civilization has been successful in bringing us an increase of knowledge, wealth, health, population, institutions and ideas. In this paper we will look at ways in which these changes have manifested in American society, the likelihood of modernization continuing on its path, and consequences that have befallen our society as a result of modernity. First we will look at how we began to transform into a society of modernity.

The most apparent manifestation of modernization in America has been urbanization and industrial development. Most individuals would agree that industrial cities are indeed modern. However, to be more specific modernization is understood as a process in which people develop new innovative ways to become more productive.

Sustaining these changes in economic ventures is a value structure which emphasizes rationality, efficiency, specialization, and an interest in the future that will be better than the present in material gain and social terms. This value structure has more than a purely economic impact although it may begin there. The family, community, politics and society as a whole become modern as the populace internalizes this value structure. Since our lives have been characterized by continuos economic growth, people have come to expect their standard of living to improve automatically year by year. The result is a social framework that is more effective than any other in history at fostering technology and growth as knowledge increases. For example, the introduction of such communication channels as the printing press, government mail service, telephone, telegraph and the internet have allowed knowledge and information to be shared and learned more quickly in their own periods in history. Other important events helped lay the foundation for modernization. For example, the completion of the railroad, the Wright brother's invention of a flying machine, development of the gas powered automobile, refrigeration, and the assembly line.

These were important steps to modernization in American history; however, it can be said that true modernity began in the 1920's. The 1920's ushered in a capitalistic population who, as a nation, leaned more favorably towards isolationism. The 1920's can be said to have modernized our society to reflect that in which we live today. Most notably of the fields responsible for this change was the mass media. Max Webber believed that modernity was the result of replacing traditional views with those of a more rational one ( Society, 2006, page 458), which is what this writer believes was a result of the explosion of the mass media in the 1920's. The national connection which the media provided as an avenue for consumer products to appeal more readily to individuals social ambitions, brought about a new openness about sex, and the media did not miss the opportunity to take part in this new revolution. The media had encouraged society to become one of consumerism, a culture which judge their values on what they owned rather than on religion, character or social standing as it had been prior to the 1920's.

Although earlier societies with a social order based firmly in tradition which provided individuals with clearly defined roles, America was now a society in which we would have to figure out our own roles and decide where we fit in. Tradition slowly began fading away. Emile Durkheim used the term Ð''anomie' to characterize the changes taking place in society in which moral norms no longer applied. Anomie existed on different levels. On the economic level social needs were no longer met by institutions such as guilds and organized religion, and the domestic level in which there was a breakdown in family relationships (McKee, Leon, 2005). In short, Durkheim believed that modernity resulted in the decay of family and traditional social order in turn being replaced with social differentiation and individualism (Ramp, 2001). We will now examine in more depth the effects which modernity has had on society.

Who am I? How should I behave? Who should I be? These seem to be the prime questions on anyone's mind, which live in modern society, and which are answered in some way or another through everyday social behavior. These very questions in modern society are at the core of both the individual as well as the institutional level.

There is a connection between an individual's sense of self and identity and in multinational capitalist corporations and globalization. These levels are generally viewed separately although they influence one another and this writer believes can not be truly understood when it comes to modernity if isolated and viewed alone. For example, the changes in relationships which has seen drastic changes in the last sixty or so years. We now see a higher level of divorce and separation as people move from one relationship to the next, as well an increase in sexual openness and higher acceptance of sexual diversity. We can not understand these changes by assuming that they are the result of social institutions or the state, when indeed thinking on both sides has been that both the capitalism and the moral authorities of the state believe that the population should be one of stable monogamous family relationships. Therefore, we can not explain these changes merely from the individual level. People did not suddenly begin changing their minds about how to live. The changes in relationships, marriage, and sexuality are directly connected to the decline in religion and a rise in rationality. Social transitions, which are a result of changes in the way individuals, view their lives brought on by social influence and observation.

These transitions are also a result of changes in the laws relating to marriage and sexuality, which was a result of the demand for these changes by individuals and every day life. The social movements such as women's liberation and egalitarianism influence these changes which were brought about from social dissatisfaction in everyday life. This writer believes the media has played the biggest role in influencing the population's morals and views on many issues. The mass media is likely to influence individuals' relationship perceptions. No matter where you look, be it serious drama, reality TV, celebrity gossip or family sitcom the need for a good story always seems to focus on relationships. No one seems to stay happily married for a lifetime, rather