Modernization theory

About: Modernization theory is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 14641 publications have been published within this topic receiving 232469 citations.

Social Modernization and the End of Ideology Debate: Patterns of Ideological Polarization

Abstract: Over 40 years ago, Daniel Bell made the provocative claim that ideological polarization was diminishing in Western democracies, but new ideologies were emerging and driving politics in developing nations. This article tests the End of Ideology thesis with a new wave of public opinion data from the World Values Survey (WVS) that covers over 70 nations representing more than 80 per cent of the world's population. We find that polarization along the Left/Right dimension is substantially greater in the less affluent and less democratic societies than in advanced industrial democracies. The correlates of Left/Right orientations also vary systematically across regions. The twin pillars of economic and religious cleavages remain important in European states; cultural values and nationalism provide stronger bases of ideology in Asia and the Middle East. As Bell suggested, social modernization does seem to transform the extent and bases of ideological polarization within contemporary societies.

Modernity as history: Post-revolutionary China, globalization and the question of modernity

Abstract: Processes associated with globalization have provoked important changes in our conceptions of modernity, as well as the discourse of modernization. While the end of socialism has encouraged a 'renaissance' of modernization discourse, this discourse is significantly different than in the past in its willingness to make room in modernity for civilizations other than the EuroAmerican. At the same time, post-colonial criticism has played a significant part in the downgrading of EuroAmerican modernity by pointing to its origins in colonialism, which encourages calls for recognition of alternative modernities, or alternative claims to modernity. Intentionally or not, the combination has resulted in a renewed reification of cultural and civilizational traditions. This article juxtaposes two sets of literature to examine these developments critically. The two sets are a general, mostly sociological, literature on modernity and modernization, and literature on Chinese modernity which has proliferated in recent yea...

The demand for children: a critical essay.

Abstract: An overview of factors influencing the demand for children is presented. The demand for children refers to the number of surviving children a couple or household wants to have regardless of how many they are capable of having and what difficulties they may have in controlling fertility. The demand for children as represented by family-size desires is a sensible concept in many developing countries. There are 2 broad interpretations of the effect of modernization on fertility. Modernization may make latent demand effective. However modernization may reduce the demand for children. This has been the core of the transition theory. Changes in child worth during modernization are a key element in many fertility transition theories. Under the most favorable conditions the net expected value of an average birth through the time the child leaves home is roughly zero or perhaps slightly positive. Each additional child not only supplies labor after a certain age but also requires labor for child care. Fertility decisions are made by the husband or a member of the older generation who also allocates the familys resources. Child worth as insurance against risk or as investment in old age security depends on whether alternatives are available. The introduction of government-backed pension systems or commercial insurance schemes could reduce child worth. Attitudinal surveys of child worth indicate that in each of the high-fertility developing countries many couples view instrumental contributions as a main reason for having children. Child costs and benefits affect demand and actual fertility though the effects on fertility might be explained by supply or regulation cost factors. There is a variation in time costs. Time costs are discussed from the point of view of modernization and the demand for children. Personal preferences for children must be taken into account. Income wealth and fertility have a role in the framework.

Desprovincializando a sociologia: a contribuição pós-colonial

Abstract: This essay discusses the contributions of post-colonial studies for renewing the contemporary social theory. At first it considers the character of the critique addressed by post-colonial studies to social sciences. After that, it analyses the post-colonial epistemological alternatives, considering three interrelated concepts: entangled modernity, "hybrid" site of enunciation, and decentralized subject. The conclusion is that, in spite of its severity and suspicion among some authors that post-colonial theory can destroy epistemological foundations of social sciences, an important part of post-colonial critique is rather addressed to the theory of modernization. Here, post-colonial positions present affinities with objections, which have already been presented by "conventional" social scientists. Other aspects raised by post-colonial authors do not destabilize, necessarily, social sciences; they can even enrich them.