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Difference between modern society and traditional society
Difference between modern society and traditional society
Difference between modern society and traditional society
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As individuals, as social scientists, or as students, everyone acknowledges in today’s world that society is constantly changing. This phrase is constantly thrown around because it is something that can be noticed. It cannot be noticed right away, but if one were to suddenly rewind time to 1970, many lives today will find life very hard to live. In a sense, many people would choose modern society because of the live and culture they have grown up in. I will be discussing the use of the word culture in depth later on but I believe that the preference of society does depend on one’s preferred culture. However, just how some prefer modernity, others miss and value their ‘old’ and more humble, traditional ways. This debate and/or disagreement however …show more content…
According to Conlin, Bells and Shills see modern society as the perfect society (Conlin, 2015). I will use Bells term of hedonism to describe what modern society has to ‘offer’ and that modern society. I will also discuss the concept of cultural transformation talked about by Bell. In addition to Bell, I will use Shill’s concept of mass society, including concepts such as vertical and horizontal integration as well as again, a cultural shift to further explain modern society. Within this I will start comparing and contrasting the two types of society to provide a better distinction between the both. I will then provide Thompson’s views written in “The Making of the English Working Class”, in which I will show his critique on the shift towards modernity and how it has negatively impacted many lives. In this section I will mainly be describing the time revolving around the industrial revolution regarding child labour. To compare and contrast the two, I will use the works of James Burke to look at the consequences of the industrial revolution and a small glimpse on Heilbroner’s view of capitalism in society. Along with this, I will conclude this essay by providing my views on whether I am sympathetic towards traditional Society. Although a traditional society provides the value of family and valuing what you earn, modern society emphasises creativity and individuality. By comparing and contrasting traditional and modern society, one can understand that no society is superior to the other; a society is rather ‘more traditional’ or ‘more modern’ and it depends on how people and their beliefs shape
Culture often means an appreciation of the finer things in life; however, culture brings members of a society together. We have a sense of belonging because we share similar beliefs, values, and attitudes about what’s right and wrong. As a result, culture changes as people adapt to their surroundings. According to Bishop Donald, “let it begin with me and my children and grandchildren” (211). Among other things, culture influences what you eat; how you were raised and will raise your own children? If, when, and whom you will marry; how you make and spend money. Truth is culture is adaptive and always changing over time because
A Fierce Discontent by Michael McGerr delves into the revolution of values from the victorian era to the progressive within the late nineteen century to the early twentieth century. McGerr’s major argument is the contrast between this set of values. The gilded age which McGerr focuses is the period where progressive values begin to take form and societal change ensues. The victorian values are values which epitomizes the British culture as just the name of the era is derived from queen Victoria. Alternatively the progressive era was a political reform focusing on anti corruption, women suffrage, and fixing the social problems plaguing society. McGerr argues that the victorian era and progressive era strikes few similarities within the
The publishers of this book date the origin of capitalism back to the 16th century. This was the time when commercial activities in the industries and farms were gaining momentum and hence there was a drive to make more profits so as to open up more new factories. In this regard, a lot of capital began to be accumulated at the expense of the work force. Consequently, this marked the beginning capitalism. The author(s) of this piece are also of the view that this era did not only initiate capitalism, but also set a standard that influenced subsequent development and growth of capitalism. The growth of capitalism was also intensified by search for gold and silver. This book has its setting England and hence prior to capitalism customary rights was followed to the latter. However, through new legislations rampant privation of property began and trespasses become highly punishable. The effect accentuated the element of capitalism. It is noted in this book that capitalism did not just make its way into the workings of free market. It is a concept that faced strong resistance from the peasants and workers in the factory. Peasants and factory workers did have property because the rich had used legislation acquired large tracks of land. Since they did not have economic strength, they were forced to work in factories by all means, which included being subjected to famine, torture and transportation. This marks the ugliest
...hown to be a fundamental socioeconomic transformation. My paper has shown many aspects of the market society, by using a number of theorists’ concepts. I focused on the characteristics of a market society, as well as why this transformation from traditional society was so significant. I also discussed the changes that have taken place in the workplace and the impact on the workers, which these material conditions became apparent throughout time. Lastly, I explained Weber’s idea of “economic rationality” and the worldview of people in a market society, to show how workers rationalized the work they put into the production and distribution of material goods. Generally, this paper’s purpose was to show how the market society has established itself over time, and how both material and ideological conditions interacted and changed the ways we view market society today.
The culture of a community invariably determines the social structures and the formation of a society. Developed over time, culture is the collection of beliefs and values that a group of people maintain together. Culture is never constant, and thought to be continually renewed over years as new ideas and concepts become mainstream. It ranges from how people live, day to day topics for conversations, religion, and even entertainment. It is analogous to guidelines, or the rulebook of the said group of people. Society, on the other hand, emanates from the social structure of the community. It is the very institutions to which create a regulated and acceptable form of interaction between peoples. Indeed, culture and society are so perversely intertwined in a
O'Brien, Patrick, and Roland Quinault, eds. The Industrial Revolution and British Society. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1993. Print.
The Industrial Revolution in nineteenth-century England brought about many changes in British society. It was the advent of faster means of production, growing wealth for the Nation and a surplus of new jobs for thousands of people living in poverty. Cities were growing too fast to adequately house the numerous people pouring in, thus leading to squalid living conditions, increased filth and disease, and the families reliance upon their children to survive. The exploitation of children hit an all time peak in Britain when generations of its youth were sacrificed to child labor and the “Coffers” of England.
The concept of culture refers to the perceived generation to generation and is somewhat durable. To call such behavior cultural does not necessarily mean that it is refined, but rather means that it is cultured. Hence it has been acquired, cultivated and persistent. Social scientists have invented the notion of a subculture to describe variations, within the a society, upon its cultural themes. In such circumstances, it is assumed that some cultural prescriptions are common to all members of society, but that modifications and variations are discernible within the society.
The latter part of the nineteenth century was teeming with evolved social and economical ideas. These views of the social structure of urban society came about through the development of ideals taken from past revolutions and the present clash of individuals and organized assemblies. As the Industrial Revolution steamed ahead paving the way for growing commerce, so did the widening gap between the class structure which so predominantly grasped the populace and their rights within the community. The development of a capitalist society was a very favorable goal in the eyes of the bourgeoisie. Using advancing methods of production within a system of free trade, the ruling middle class were strategically able to earn a substantial surplus of funds and maintain their present class of life. Thus, with the advancement of industry and the bourgeoisie's gain of wealth, a counter-action was undoubtably taking place. The resultant was the degradation of the working-class, of the proletarians whom provided labour to a middle-class only to be exploited in doing so. Exploitation is a quarrel between social groups that has been around since the dawn of mankind itself. The persecution of one class by another has historically allowed the advancement of mankind to continue. These clashes, whether ending with positive or negative results, allow Man to evolve as a species, defining Himself within the social structure of nature. Man's rivalry amongst one another allows for this evolution! through the production of something which is different, not necessarily productive, but differing from the present norm and untried through previous epochs.
Griswold, W. (2013). Cultures and societies in a changing world. (4th ed.). United States of America: SAGE publications Inc.
This theory also heavily relies on the idea that in order to modernize, the country must Westernize and lose their traditional culture. It is then proposed that although in present day many societies are modern, its does not mean they are all the same.
The Victorian Age was characterized by a rapidly growing economy, an expansion of the British Empire, relative peace, and the social and economic problems associated with industrialization. Victorian society was conflicted by the changes; they admired the material benefits industrialization brought, as it encouraged great optimism and spurred the growth of the industrial working class and a modern middle class, but it was also a time of social concern. Brutal factory conditions and slums bred poverty and disease. (Literature, the British, 1996)
Without delving into deep sociological theories of the nature of society, we can consider human societies as any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse and are those who recognize each other as associates, friends and acquaintances. Individuals who play certain roles and the relationships between each role form the society itself. The complexity of society makes it difficult for us to identify our relationships. Generally, societies form different norms and cultures and these norms and cultures will change. Despite the changes in ones society and culture, members of any society like happiness in their own ways. In complex societies, it is valid to question about our contributions to happiness of its members. While material contributions to societies meet the physical needs, mental problems and needs are more difficult to satisfy. This is the point where society and culture become intertwined.
Altercations were made to the fundamentals of the British life style in result of the Industrial Revolution. Economic, social, and political changes occurred throughout 18th and early 19th century Britain, in response to various factors regarding the revolution. Primarily it was the contributions from the new refined tools and technology that impacted Britain’s agricultural and industrial progressions; to the point where its society was ultimately influenced.
In the end, what we learn from this article is very realistic and logical. Furthermore, it is supported with real-life examples. Culture is ordinary, each individual has it, and it is both individual and common. It’s a result of both traditional values and an individual effort. Therefore, trying to fit it into certain sharp-edged models would be wrong.