Stepping into a New World

Stepping into a New World

Future of Modernization

When we question the future of modernization and the world we must do so by first examining the past as well as the current state of the Western world. Presently electoral democracy, the rule of law and the belief in individual rights characterize the Western world. Western civilization has been successful in bringing us an increase of knowledge, wealth, health, population, institutions and ideas. In this paper we will look at ways in which these changes have manifested in American society, the likelihood of modernization continuing on its path, and consequences that have befallen our society as a result of modernity. First we will look at how we began to transform into a society of modernity.

The most apparent manifestation of modernization in America has been urbanization and industrial development. Most individuals would agree that industrial cities are indeed modern. However, to be more specific modernization is understood as a process in which people develop new innovative ways to become more productive.

Sustaining these changes in economic ventures is a value structure which emphasizes rationality, efficiency, specialization, and an interest in the future that will be better than the present in material gain and social terms. This value structure has more than a purely economic impact although it may begin there. The family, community, politics and society as a whole become modern as the populace internalizes this value structure. Since our lives have been characterized by continuos economic growth, people have come to expect their standard of living to improve automatically year by year. The result is a social framework that is more effective than any other in history at fostering technology and growth as knowledge increases. For example, the introduction of such communication channels as the printing press, government mail service, telephone, telegraph and the internet have allowed knowledge and information to be shared and learned more quickly in their own periods in history. Other important events helped lay the foundation for modernization. For example, the completion of the railroad, the Wright brother's invention of a flying machine,