Page 240 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Unit 10: Social Change

Additionally, competition may lead to growth in the size and complexity of the entities involved. The Notes
classic example of this process, as first suggested by Adam Smith, is the tendency in capitalism toward
collusion and the establishment of monopolies when small firms are driven out of the competitive
marketplace. Another example came from Norbert Elias, who suggested that western European nation-
states were born out of competitive struggles between feudal lords. Competition also dominates
theories of individualism, in which social change is seen as the result of individuals pursuing their
self-interest. Game theory and other mathematical devices, however, have shown that individuals
acting in their own self-interest will in certain conditions cooperate with one another and thereby
widen the existing social networks.
Tension and adaptation
In structural functionalism, social change is regarded as an adaptive response to some tension within
the social system. When some part of an integrated social system changes, a tension between this and
other parts of the system is created, which will be resolved by the adaptive change of the other parts.
An example is what the American sociologist William Fielding Ogburn has called cultural lag, which
refers in particular to a gap that develops between fast-changing technology and other slower-paced
sociocultural traits.
Diffusion

Diffusion, is the process of the spread of culture from group to group. It has been considered as one
of the main causes of social change. Diffusion takes place within societies and between societies
through contact. This is why the process of diffusion becomes difficult to penetrate in a situation of
isolation. Jazz, which was originated among black musicians of New Orleans diffused to other groups
within the society, and then later spread to other societies as well and to different parts of the world.
Social movement is certainly one of the most important factors of social change. We can understand
social movement into two different forms- one, those movements organised to create some new social
forms that are usually radical and liberal in nature; and two, those movements concerned with
maintaining or recreating older social forms that are generally conservative or reactionary. However,
in both these cases, social change will depend much on the success of the movements and the impact
it could cause to the society.
Revolutionary movement may be considered as a kind of social movement. Revolutionary movements
also cause social change. The French Revolution of 1789 witnessed the rise of French democracy, rise
of modern civilian army, and was a great eye-opener and model for many peoples in different parts
of the world who are struggling for liberation and justice. The Russian Revolution is also another
example of revolutionary change that brought an end to monarchical government and class
stratification in Russia.
Diffusion of innovations
Some social changes result from the innovations that are adopted in a society. These can include
technological inventions, new scientific knowledge, new beliefs, or a new fashion in the sphere of
leisure. Diffusion is not automatic but selective; an innovation is adopted only by people who are
motivated to do so. Furthermore, the innovation must be compatible with important aspects of the
culture. One reason for the adoption of innovations by larger groups is the example set by higher-
status groups which act as reference groups for other people. Many innovations tend to follow a
pattern of diffusion from higher to lower-status groups. More specifically, most early adopters of
innovations in modern Western societies, according to several studies, are young, urban, affluent,
and highly educated, with a high occupational status. Often they are motivated by the wish to
distinguish themselves from the crowd. After diffusion has taken place, however, the innovation is
no longer a symbol of distinction. This motivates the same group to look for something new again.
This mechanism may explain the succession of fads, fashions, and social movements.
Planning and institutionalization of change
Social change may result from goal-directed large-scale social planning. The possibilities for planning
by government bureaucracies and other large organizations have increased in modern societies. Most

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