“Nothing is permanent except change.”

Social Change -refers to basic alterations, over time, in the behavior patterns, culture, and structure of society (Light 1985) -not all changes are social changes -a general term which refers to change in the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society or community of people. -refers to acts of advocacy for the cause of changing society in a positive way
[pic]
[pic][pic]
[pic]

Social Change could be: o Slow, gradual, incremental, and evolutionary (in this it might be barely noticeable) o Fast, radical, sudden, and revolutionary (it might even take people by surprise) o Wide in scope, affecting all people in a society o Limited in scope, affecting only a small number of people

Four major Theories of Social Change:

1. The Evolutionary Theory - explain how one social form evolves into another - society progresses from a simple beginning to a more complex form; from homogeneity to heterogeneity; from archaic to civilized; from primitive to modern; from rural to urban
[pic] [pic]
Classical evolutionary theorists:
Emile Durkheim
Herbert Spencer

Modern evolutionists:
Leslie White
Julian Steward
Gerhard Lenski

❖ Emile Durkheim [pic] -proposed that simple societies progress to complex ones by the action of social forces

a. Mechanical Solidarity Simple societies have relatively homogenous culture, undifferentiated structure and minimal division of labor. People share a common set of values, beliefs, customs, and mores which provide the chief source of solidarity

b. Organic Solidarity As population grows, division of labor and specialization is needed. More formal means to hold the society together are developed such as the central government.

❖ Herbert Spencer [pic] -views society as social organisms involved in a struggle for existence in a world of competition and scarcity. -only the “fittest” survives

2. The Cyclical Theory -every society undergoes cyclical change, pattern of subsequent and recurring phases of growth and decline. -every society has a natural life cycle (birth and death of social order)

❖ Nikolai Danilewski [pic] -has noted that the Egyptian, Chinese, Persian, Greek, Roman, German and Slav civilizations have had a life cycle or growth and decline (Golden Age and Eraz of Decay)

❖ Vilfredo Pareto [pic] -created the first social cycle theory in sociology in his Trattato Di Sociologia Generale

❖ Pitirim A. Sorokin [pic] -developed the social cycle theory in his Social and Cultural Dynamics

❖ Oswald Spengler [pic] -argued that all cultures are destined to follow a course of growth and decay -in “ The Decline of the West”, he prophesized that the Western society and culture, has reached its pinnacle of civilization, and is on the point of decline

❖ Arnold Toynbee [pic] -argued that the measure of civilization’s success is found in its responses to specific challenges posed by its physical and social environment

3. The Equilibrium Theory -views society as tending towards a state of stability or balance -disruptions are only temporary - Society’s institutions will eventually adapt, achieving a new stability
[pic] [pic]

4. The Conflict Theory

Karl Marx [pic] -argues that conflict is the law which civilization has followed to the present day -without conflict, there’s no progress -two social classes: exploiters (bourgeoisie) and the exploited ( the proletariat or workers)

Sources of Social Change

1. Shifting Population -population trends affect social structure and organizations - the increase in population leads to division of labor and specialization to manage the scarce resources and to promulgate organic laws to maintain and regulate the social order. [pic]
[pic]

2. Technological Innovation -Technology is the knowledge and skill applied in practical ways to the material aspects of life. It refers to new ideas and outlooks, new means of producing goods and services to satisfy human needs and wants. -technological innovation has profound influence in determining the course of history

[pic]
[pic] [pic]

3. New Ideas and Cultural Values - New Ideas and Cultural Values can both facilitate and constrain social change. - New Ideas and Cultural Values can also restrain or at least resist social change
[pic]
[pic]
[pic]

4. Diffusion -Diffusion refers to the process by which change comes about as culture spreads from one society to another through direct or indirect contact between members of two different cultures -Generally, it is the culture of the more powerful and more advanced society that is diffused in the underdeveloped society.

[pic]
[pic]
[pic]