The Future of Modernization
Shannon Miskimen
SOC 120
Instructor Jim Stein

The Future of Modernization
Modernization is the process of social change begun by industrialization (Macionis 2006). Modernization is ever present in society and has been for many years. It can be seen in the workplace, in schools, and in almost every home all throughout the world. One could say that modernization is the past, present and future of day to day life and of the world.
Modernization in U.S. Society Modernization can be seen in U.S. society everywhere one looks. It is seen in homes, schools, families, and business. Modern theorist Ferdinand Tonnies (1855-1937), seen on the left, said that modernization is the progressive loss of Gemeinschaft, also known as human community (Macionis 2006). Tonnies suggested that the Industrial Revolution had weakened family and tradition. The way that he felt family and tradition had been weakened was that the Industrial Revolution had placed a businesslike emphasis on facts, efficiency, and money. (Macionis 2006). Tonnies may have been right. After the Industrial Revolution, the U.S. became impersonal and rootless. People began to associate with each other in a self interest basis. (Macionis 2006). This became the start of change in the U.S. past and would then evolve the future of the U.S. (Image of Ferdinand Tonnies retrieved from http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/images/10008882-r%20copy.jpg.)

Modernization in the Past Modernization has been present ever since the dawn of time. Every generation evolved and “bettered” themselves to some degree. Cavemen discovered fire and tools, Egyptians constructed sophisticated irrigation systems and built immaculate pyramids that astounded people to this day, and the entire world worked together to develop automobiles and skyscrapers. During the early twentieth century, many families in the U.S. were living in tight-knit villages and towns. There were no phones or televisions and the internet had not even been created yet. Families and friends would gather together most nights for entertainment by telling stories, talking, and singing songs (Macionis 2006). To these people, their town was their entire world because there were no cars to travel by. All of their needs were taken care of in town by their neighbors, friends, and family members. The schools were even restricted to these small towns and all grades were put together in one classroom like the one seen here. This is an image of an early 20th century school. (Image of school retrieved from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdwchs/riorofBeaverCreekSchoolMuseumEarly20thCenturyClassroom.JPG.) Even though this school seems cut off and not modern, it was a form of modernization during the early 20th century.

Modernization Today Today, the U.S. is an ever changing society and there is a new technical gadget being introduced on a daily basis. Modernization is a way of life for the U.S. and can be credited for the technology that is used by almost every person. The close knit way of life that the early 20th century showcased is almost nonexistent. Families are separated across all the continents; cell phones are glued to teenagers heads and “texting” in a conversation for them; televisions have hundreds of channels to keep children busy; and the internet is a replacement for books, mail, and entertainment. Also, small villages and towns have dried up and given way to bustling cities, metropolises, and megalopolises. In the major cities, the skyline is full of skyscrapers, bridges, and pollution. Schools have even been modernized. Grades, and even sometimes genders, are split into different classes and buildings. Text books are being replaced by laptops as seen in this image of a modern day school. (Image of modern school retrieved from http://images.apple.com/uk/education/profiles/crosshall/images/crosshall_main220806.jpg.) Schools are one of the ways in which society has evolved and modernized.

Continuation of Modernization in the U.S. Modernization has become a part of society and it is likely to continue in the future. The U.S. is a constantly growing and developing country that thrives on technology. The American people always want the newest technological gadget, the faster and better computer, and the bigger and better home. For these reasons, modernization is likely to continue in the U.S. However, for it to continue, sustainable development needs to take place.
According to “sustainable development” (2005), sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” All of the modernization that has taken, and will take, place has put a strain on the environment. In order for the modernization to continue without too many consequences, today’s generation and future generations need to have sustainable development. The sustainable development will help to maintain the environment for future generation and will help modernization in the future. Modernization is not only a trend in the U.S., but is also a trend throughout the world. The U.S. is not the only country that needs to look towards sustainable development, countries like England, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa need to consider it too. If not, one day the entire world will end up dead and unable to sustain life as we know it.
Consequences of Modernization There are many possible consequences of modernization. They range from plagues, famine, and natural disasters (“risk” 2005) to wars and even possibly to the death of the world. An image of what the world might look like from the consequences of modernization can be seen here. (Image of dead earth retrieved from http://www.tagbanger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/michael-wells.jpg.) Other consequences of modernization are health strains. In the world of technology, people are more likely to sit for extended periods of time in front of a television or a computer which has caused many people to become overweight. Another, more serious, consequence of modernization is nuclear war. With modernization, technology has advanced. With the advanced technology, weapons have advanced. And with the advanced weapons, more destruction is possible in times of war. Here is an example of what damage modern weapons can cause. This is Nagasaki, Japan after the U.S. dropped a nuclear bomb on it. (Image of Nagasaki retrieved from http://dulceetdecorumest.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/NagasakiFires.jpg.) Unfortunately, unless countries develop modern weapons, they are likely to be overpowered by stronger countries. According to Charlton and Andras (2003) “governments that do the ‘wrong thing’, whether deliberately or accidentally, find their countries increasingly dominated by those countries which are making a better job of it. And this domination embraces all the social systems in which communications are international – such as economics, the armed forces, science, technology and the mass media.”

Conclusion Modernization has been occurring ever since the dawn of time and will likely continue until the end of it. People always want to improve on technology and make things easier. Modernization will allow that. All over the world, people and technology will grow side by side. However, if the world does not take care of the economy while growing, there will not be a world for the people to live in. If the people of the world are careful, they will be able to develop and grow while maintaining a beautiful world around themselves.

References
Charlton MD, D. B. and Andras, P. (2003). The Modernization Imperative. Exeter, UK.
Macionis, J. J. (2006). Society: The basics (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice
Hall.
"Risk" A Dictionary of Sociology. John Scott and Gordon Marshall. Oxford University Press 2005. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Apollo Group. 14 January 2009 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t88.e1962>
"Sustainable development" A Dictionary of Sociology. John Scott and Gordon Marshall. Oxford University Press 2005. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Apollo Group. 14 January 2009 from <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t88.e2304>

Image References
Image of early twentieth century school retrieved January 15, 2009 from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdwchs/riorofBeaverCreekSchoolMuseumEarly20thCenturyClassroom.JPG.
Image of Ferdinand Tonnies retrieved January 15, 2009 from http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/images/10008882-r%20copy.jpg.
Image of Nagasaki after nuclear bomb retrieved January 16, 2009 from http://dulceetdecorumest.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/NagasakiFires.jpg.
Image of scorched earth retrieved January 16, 2009 from http://www.tagbanger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/michael-wells.jpg.
Image of twenty-first century school retrieved January 15, 2009 from http://images.apple.com/uk/education/profiles/crosshall/images/crosshall_main220806.jpg.