Page 261 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Social Structure and Social Change

Notes the computer ideology by the employees in the banking system, or use of fertilizers and tractors
by the peasants in the villages. In both cases, the modernization process comes to be woven into
the traditional order without endangering or affecting the basic characteristics of the traditional
order.
4. Supportive Response
This response takes the form of accepting the new and modern things because they strengthen or
reinforce the traditional order. For example, accepting the modernization process in the police or
military systems because it increases the efficiency of the police or the power of the military.
Different traditional groups and institutions use the opportunity presented by modernization to
pursue more effectively traditional interests and to maintain traditional positions more firmly.
Modernization may provide resources and facilities to further traditional interest.
5. Disruptive Response
In this response, the traditional order is undermined at many points by the adjustments which are
made to the situation introduced by modernization.
Usually, all five of these responses take place at different points of the traditional order and in
different combinations. The responses are governed by preferences, interests, and values.
According to Myron Weiner (1966: 8), the main instruments which make modernization possible are:
1. Education
It inculcates a sense of national loyalty and creates skills and attitudes essential for technological
innovation. Edward Shils has also emphasized on the role of education in the process of
modernization. Arnold Anderson, however, maintains that formal education is not adequate for
teaching skills. Sometimes, university education may be a waste, for it increases the number of
students with degrees without an increase in the number of people with modern skills and attitudes.
2. Communication
The development of mass communications (including telephone, TV, radio, movies, etc.) is an
important means of spreading modern ideas at a faster rate. The only danger is that if these are
controlled by the government, they will spread only one type of ideological thought. In democracies,
however, the press is often independent to express its views.
3. Ideology Based on Nationalism
The nationalistic ideologies serve as unifying influence in bridging social cleavages within plural
societies. They also help the political elite in changing the behaviour of masses of people. Binder,
however, has pointed out that the elite may have modern ideology but it is not necessary that it
may facilitate development also.
4. Charismatic Leadership
A charismatic leader is in a better position to persuade people to adopt modern beliefs, practices
and behaviour patterns because of the respect and loyalty he commands. The danger is that the
charismatic leader might use the modern values and attitudes as an instrument for personal
glorification rather than national development.
5. Coercive Governmental Authority
If the government authority is weak, it may not succeed in implementing the policies aimed at the
modernization process, but if the government is strong, it may even adopt coercive measures to
compel people to accept attitudes and behaviour patterns which aim at development. Myron
Weiner is, however, of the opinion that nationalism, under the aegis of an authoritarian regime,
may lead a country into suicidal expansion abroad rather than development at home. In this
connection, it may not be wrong to cite the example of the policies of the Bush regime (in America)
political elite pertaining to countries like Iraq etc. After Russia lost its supremacy, America’s
governmental authority has started coercing the nations in the name of the process of modernizing
the under-developed and the developing countries.
Myron Weiner (1966: 9-10) has also talked of opportunities and incentives along with value and
attitude changes for the modernization of a society. Many economists have supported this viewpoint.

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