THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Overview of Theories

• Social change: refers to alterations in various aspects of society over time.

• Major theories:

  • Cyclical theory

  • Evolutionary theory

  • Equilibrium theory

  • Conflict theory

  • Social-psychological theories

1. Cyclical Theory

• Views social change historically; societies cycle through stages of growth and decay.

• Change is often beyond human control, with societies reflecting human life cycles.

• Major proponents: Oswald Spengler and Piritim Sorokin.

  • Oswald Spengler:

    • Wrote "The Decline of the West," proposing that societies follow a life cycle.

    • Argued that Western civilization was in its final stages post World War I.

  • Piritim Sorokin:

    • Suggested societies oscillate between 'sensate' (materialistic) and 'ideational' (spiritual) cultures, with 'idealistic' culture as a transitional phase.

    • Introduced the concept of immanent change as a structural cause.

• Critics argue cyclical theories don't explain why some societies decline while others adapt and grow.

2. Evolutionary Theory

• Views change as a linear progression towards complexity.

• Change arises from attempts to adapt to social and physical conditions.

  • Early Evolutionary Theorists:

    • Believed societies progress through distinct stages (e.g., Auguste Comte's three stages: theological, metaphysical, positivistic).

  • Herbert Spencer:

    • Claimed societies evolve through natural selection; those that adapt survive.

• Modern Evolutionary Theories:

  • Do not assert a single pathway; societal complexity can arise from various sources, including technological advancements (Gerhard Lenski).

3. Equilibrium Theory

• Proposed by Talcott Parsons; likens society to a living organism maintaining stability.

• Changes in one part of the system require adjustments in others to restore equilibrium.

  • Evolutionary change seen as a process of differentiation and integration.

• Critics note its limitations in explaining widespread change.

4. Conflict Theory

• Views conflict between groups as the primary engine of social change.

  • Rooted in Karl Marx's idea of class conflict; all history is a history of class struggles.

• Karl Marx:

  • Predicted that class divisions would lead to the proletariat overthrowing the bourgeoisie, aiming for a classless society.

• Ralf Dahrendorf:

  • Agreed with Marx but emphasized multiple forms of conflict, not just class.

• Critics argue it oversimplifies social dynamics by focusing mainly on conflict.

5. Social-Psychological Theories

• Focus on the role of individual psychological factors in societal change.

• Key theorists include:

  • Max Weber:

    • Introduced the "Protestant Ethic" as a precursor to capitalist development.

  • David McClelland:

    • Emphasized 'need for achievement' as crucial for economic development.

PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

1. Diffusion

• Innovation spreads from one culture to another, influenced by dominant cultural centers.

• Key elements of diffusion: Innovation, communication channels, time, community.

• Stages of adoption process:

  1. Awareness

  2. Interest

  3. Evaluation

  4. Trial

  5. Adoption

• Characteristics influencing adoption: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, tryability, observability.

2. Evolution

• Evolution indicates a shift towards greater complexity over time.

• Major changes often correlate with shifts in societies' means of subsistence.

• Involves both qualitative and quantitative changes.

3. Acculturation

• Involves taking on attributes from another culture through contact.

• More rapid and observable than diffusion; can occur through various means (e.g., war, migration).

• Typical of subordinate cultures adopting traits from dominant ones.

4. Modernization

• Transition from agrarian to industrial societies, resulting in improved quality of life.

• Involves the development of technology and varied societal arrangements.

• Modernization includes:

  • Industrial modernization

  • Acculturative modernization

  • Induced modernization (modeling after the West).

5. Industrialization

• Shift from manual labor to technology-based production.

• Associated with complex division of labor.

• Impacts include demographic changes, shifts in family structure, education, and communication.

6. Urbanization

• Increasing population concentration in cities leading to economic and social changes.

• Urban areas defined by population density and diversity.

• Over-urbanization poses challenges in developing nations.

7. Bureaucratization

• Emerges as organizations increase in size and complexity, requiring effective administration.

STRATEGIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Overview of Strategies

• Strategies are planned approaches to achieving social change goals.

• Include differential impacts on various communities and groups.

Targets of Change

1. Individual (Micro level)

2. Group/Organization/Community (Intermediate level)

3. Society (Macro Level)

Change Agents

• Professionals who influence change, classified as internal or external.

• Functions: recognize needs for change, establish relationships, assist in innovation.

Methods of Planned Social Change

• Three broad categories:

  1. Empirical-rational strategies

  2. Normative-re-educative strategies

  3. Power-coercive strategies.

Empirical-Rational Strategies

• Based on the assumption of rational self-interest.

Normative-Re-educative Strategies

• Focus on changing norms and values among individuals or groups.

Power-Coercive Strategies

• Utilize sanctions or laws to achieve desired changes.