Modernization occurs when a society whose structure and purpose was based off of farming and agriculture is faced with a complete or radical change. This changeover takes what once was a simple farming and agricultural community and turns it into an unspiritual, metropolitan and industrialized society. The implementation of new changes and ways required for survival cause traditions to be lost. This paper will examine how modernization has manifested itself in society within the United States, if modernization is likely to continue within the United States or become a world-wide trend. Additionally, this paper will also discuss the consequences of modernization along with advice of the certain and uncertain aspects and perceptions of modernization.
Modernization takes place at a gradual rate first with industrialization, then societal changes which cause urbanization and reconstruction of populations. A person often uses the word modernization to convey an image of the progression from a society that was once common to this abreast Western civilization. German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies’ theory of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft explains that “Industrial Revolution weakened the social fabric of family and tradition by introducing a businesslike emphasis on facts, efficiency, and money” (Macionis, 2006). The theorist that best reflects my perceptions of modernization through similarities of observations and opinions is Ferdinand Tönnies’ who according to Macionis, viewed modernization as the progressive loss of human community (Macionis, 2006).
Tönnies observed that modernization was causing an increasing disappearance of how human community was once known (Macionis, 2006). His view of society was they were ‘rootless and impersonal’ where people make the decision to associate themselves with others based alone on ‘self interest’ (Gesellschaft) (Macionis, 2006). Families were very different many years ago, they had close relationships and very strong emotional bonds due to a different type of communication. In modern times we have an extremely vast amount of technology that includes computers, internet, cellular phones, television, public transportation, cars, airplanes and trains. In the past, most families had each other or other friends and families within their communities. Stories were passed down between family members and entertainment came from gatherings with families and friends. At these gatherings stories would be told, along with singing, dancing and “for many people, the town in which they lived was their entire world” (Macionis, 2006). In the past, there may have various conflicts that caused a divide between communities but, Gemeinschaft kept them united. Tönnies’ theory further suggests that modernity kept people “essentially separated in spite of uniting factors” (1963:65, orig. 1887) as cited in (Macionis, 2006).
Disunion came as a result of people moving from their small communities into larger cities. Despite various personal differences, people living in smaller communities had closer relationships with each other and were similar to a family. People felt a sense of loyalty and respected each other. Tönnies states that due to modernity, “society now lives in a world of Gesellschaft because people who live in large cities will pass each other every day; yet, ignore each other and remain strangers” (Macionis, 2006). People have a tendency to put their needs above others which causes friends and family to question trust and loyalty (Macionis, 2006).
Within the last century, modernization has happened at continuously accelerated rates. During that time modernization has manifested itself through four evident classifications, of which Peter Berger determines as; ‘the decline of small’, “traditional communities’, ‘expansion of personal choice’, ‘increasing social diversity’ and ‘Orientation toward the future and a growing awareness of time’ (Macionis, 2006). The decline of small traditional communities which is the first significant factor along with continuing quest for a breakthrough and life changing technological advance are things that lead me to believe that modernization will most definitely continue within the United States. Today, many people have a greater focus on individuality and their lives are dependent upon technology whereas, the people a century ago found their families as well as their communities to be the most important aspects of their lives. Sadly, those of us who live in these modern times with this extreme amount of technology at our dispose will never fully understand what life would have been like to live as our ancestors. Technological advances such as cellular phones and the internet have prevented the close-knit and solid relationships people in the past had between their family and friends. Individuals living in large cities tend to overlook important aspects such as unity, trust and loyalty due to their lack of knowledge and understanding of living a common or simple life. In turn, this causes an individual to become close minded and self-centered. While the process of individualization causes an individual to become disconnected from their beliefs, traditions and possibly religion. With this societal change people have the option to take control of their lives and choose their own lifestyle rather than following in their traditional standards of life (Macionis, 2006).
In the midst of the last century social diversity has flourished. Within the earliest societies family ties and religious beliefs caused both communities and individuals to be in agreement and maintain consistency with one another. These ties caused a separation between various groups which prevented people from learning about other beliefs or experiencing other cultures. The formation of modernization has caused and encouraged society to be more open and accepting which has resulted in an intermixed society or “melting pot”. This type of blended culture has contributed to a more scientific and rational view regarding diversity. Nonetheless, the concept of a combined identity or culture means that traditional cultures will continue to disappear.
Another component that informs us that modernization continues is the assimilation of a persons’ increased perception of time. Currently, time is equated to money whereas money is equated to time and for that reason, anyone who is searching for personal or financial gain views time as a possession. According to Macionis (2006), “Pre-modern people focus on the past; people in modern societies think more about the future” (p.456). Therefore, everyone is always looking for the next best thing that could potentially be life changing. A prime example of this would be how Berger stated that, “one indicator of a society’s degree of industrialization is the share of people wearing wristwatches” (p. 456).
It is a fact that modernization has become a world-wide trend even though there are still many parts of the world that have yet to be touched by the modern way. It is all just a matter of time before the entire world can benefit from the basic necessities such as schools, modern homes, and the computers of the modern world as we know it today. If we were to look back 50 years ago, thinking about modernizing the whole world was more like a dream than a reality. Change happened yet it happened at a much slower rate than today. The rate of modernization and technological change is estimated to double every decade (WorldTrendsResearch, 2008). This growing trend is both expected and desirable. Many third world countries such as Africa anticipate they too will have the resources to modernize their communities and join the rest of the world in its continuous journey for the most current technological advances. The extreme need for urbanization and modernization is greatly needed due to a combination of issues such as the need for clean water supply, food, affordable shelter, employment, education and better health facilities (Ghadar, 2005). These issues are of the greatest importance in countries that are extremely poor such as Africa.
In the upcoming decades we will begin to see modernization, urbanization and globalization of countries such as China, India and other Asian nations. In turn, this will greatly transform the lives of billions of people.
For the most part, the majority of society has a variety of reasons to be accepting of modernization even though the transition to urbanization and industrialization has had its fair share of consequences. Urbanizing which is defined by Macionis (2006) as, the increasing proportion of population in a given concentrated area during a specific period. Much of the world’s population has lived more of a simple lifestyle all through history. Since individuals move to larger cities with their continued quest for a better ways of life, the population is forced to become urbanized at accelerated rates. “In 2008, the global urban population exceeded the nonrural population for the first time in history, and it is estimated that by 2050, 70% of the world population will live in urban areas, with more than half of them concentrated in Asia” (Global urban Land-use trends and climate impacts, para. 1). Rapid urban growth that includes both land-use and land-cover changes have considerable impacts on climate (Seto & Shepherd, 2009).
Unfortunately, when a city has an increased growth at an accelerated rate the city struggles to provide services such as electricity, sanitation, healthcare and education. Then the city or counties revenue becomes decreased which trickles down hill causing the city to be unable to provide basic necessities to residents. This snowball effect causes a variety of issues such as potential health problems, environmental problems and general poverty (Daly & Barkakati, 2010). All of these events cause individuals to look at things differently in life possibly taking another approach which pushes them further from their traditional ways. As friends and family become separated they start losing touch with their traditions. An increase of long distance relationships and separation of family means there too is separation of traditional cultures. More and more people communicate through the advanced technology of modern society such as; Facebook, Skype, and instant messaging. Even though technology has made communication easier in some aspects, it has also caused strong traditional family bonds to diminish. Mostly, individuals do not comprehend how social diversity pushes families to conform and become more modern which results in a loss of cultural and religious beliefs. These unique things that make us who we are will eventually become lost and tradition will be a thing of the past.
In conclusion, it is clearly evident that the consistent journey of individuals into larger cities will continue within the United States. There have been and will continue to be countless changes throughout the history of the United States and the world. Numerous industrial and technological advances have caused many parts of the world to constantly revolve around a constant circle of change. While it is evident that as society conforms, they continue to lose cultural beliefs, religion, tradition and familial ties. Individuals have become used to how comfortable that modernization and industrialization have made their lives. Therefore, modernization, urbanization and industrial development will continue to grow throughout the world.

References

Ghadar, F. (2005). Urbanization: Uncharted Growth. Industrial Management, 47(6), 14-18. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Macionis, J. J. (2006). Society: The basics (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Seto, K.C. & Shepherd, J.M. (2009). Urbanization and Global Change Group. Urbanization and Global Change Group-Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Retrieved from http://urban.yale.edu/Publications.html
Daly, K. L., & Barkakati, N. (2010). Experience with Prior Migration and Modernization Efforts Provides Lessons Learned for New Approach. GAO Reports, 1. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
WorldTrendsResearch. (2008). Retrieved June 26, 2011, from http://www.worldtrendsresearch.com/major-trends.php