MEANING AND DEFINITION OF MODERNISATION
Meaning
Modernisation is a process of change whereby less developed societies acquire the characteristics of more developed societies including their ways of life and values. Through this process, the developed societies transmit their keys of change and improvement to traditional or less developed societies.
Through the transmission of modern scientific knowledge, the traditional societies achieve better and more satisfactory changes in the field of education, economy, politics, culture and traditions, administration, religion etc. Modernisation does not mean merely discarding all the traditional values, customs, cultural and political heritage, faith and belief.
The term ‘modernisation’ was first introduced by Daniel Lerner in his study of the Middle-Eastern societies. Daniel Lerner in his book, “The Passing of Traditional Society” (1958) has mentioned about the importance of modernisation over westernization.
Definitions of Modernisation:
According to Daniel Lerner, “Modernisation is the current term for an old process of social change whereby less developed societies acquire the characteristics common to more developed societies.”
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.”
According to Smelser, “Modernisation refers to “a complex set of changes that take place almost in every part of society as it attempts to be industrialised. Modernisation involves ongoing change in a society’s economy, politics, education, traditions and religion.”
According to Rutow and Ward, “The basic process in Modernisation is the application of modern science to human affairs.”
Characteristics of Modernisation →
1) One of the important characteristics of modernisation is the use of scientific knowledge and technology in day to day life approach for a better living. Using of modern science and technology help to change and improve the traditional values and adopt new progressive ones.
2) Scientific and technological inventions brought remarkable changes in the field of social organisation, culture, politics, economy and education. This is another important characteristic of modernisation.→
3) Adoption of science and technology in industry, agriculture, dairy farming etc. to revolutionise the concept of productivity is also considered as one of the important characteristics of modernisation.
4) Social mobilization is an important characteristic of modernisation. Through the process of modernisation, a society transforms her old social, psychological, economic and political elements and adopts new values for better living. –
5) Urbanisation is an important characteristic of modernisation. Through the process of urbanisation, people migrated continuously from rural areas to urban areas for their establishment.
6) Industrialisation is a common characteristic of modernisation. Industrialisation means building up or establishing industries which leads to several social changes, for example- establishing banks and business centres, extension of roads and other civic amenities, etc.
7) Another important characteristic of modernisation is the growth of a number of specialised organizations with new means of production and development of new professions.
8) Another important characteristic of modernisation is the development of mass media. These include newspapers, radio, television, movies etc. through which the citizens become enlightened and well-informed about the changing trends in society.
9) Modernisation does not necessarily mean discarding all the traditional values, norms and beliefs but accepting all these with necessary modification. The process of modernisation lays emphasis on rational and secular thinking, ideology based on nationalism, education, mass communication, scientific and positive attitudes towards work and wealth, industrial development and development of knowledge, urbanization etc.
Criteria of Modernity
Modernisation is a process whereby less developed societies acquire characteristics common to more developed societies.
There are some criteria of modernity-1. Economic self-sufficiency 2. Political participation to make democracy fruitful 3. Secular and rational social norms 4. Social mobility 5. Spread of literacy 6. Independent and neutral command of mass media 7. Improved communication and transportation facility 8. Importance on urbanisation and industrialisation.