1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Social change is said to be inevitable as it happens over time as the response to the changing patterns of surrounding environments and communities. It can be positive or negative. Positive social change is most desired as it results to improvement of the social institutions unlike negative social change which leads to partial or total destruction of social institutions. This short paper is about social changes giving the meaning, types, theories, causes and patterns of social changes. Mainly the paper argues that social change must occur as it transforms the society to overcome the changing patterns of the surrounding environments. All individuals in the society must participate in the transformation of society—to ensure that human values replace the values of the old elite.
1.2 The meaning of Social change
Social change is a general term which refers to change in the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society, community of people, or other structures. It also refers to any event or action that affects a group of individuals that have shared values or characteristics. Social change may as well refer to acts of advocacy for the cause of changing society in a normative way (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
Social change is the structural transformation of political, social and economic systems and institution to create a more equitable and just society.
The concept of social change implies measurement of some characteristics of this group of individuals. While the term is usually applied to changes that are beneficial to society, it may result in negative side-effects or consequences that undermine or eliminate existing ways of life that are considered positive.
2.0 TYPES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
2.1 Progressive Social Change
This is defined as activity that leads to greater citizen empowerment and involvement more effective institutions, particularly in, but not limited to, the government and social sectors ; Greater accountability, mutual responsibility and transparency between and among individuals, organizations, movements and sectors (e.g. government, social and business) and more widespread prosperity via more equal opportunity and access
2.2 Negative social change/Societal collapse
This is the large scale breakdown or long term decline of the culture, civil institutions or other major characteristics of a society or a civilization, on a temporary or permanent basis. The breakdown of cultural and social institutions is perhaps the most common feature of collapse. Societies may not end or die when they collapse, but may instead adapt and be born anew. The good mentioned example of negative social changes is the collapse of Roman Empire.
3 0 THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
3.1 Functionalism
The key concept of functionalism theories of social change is that societies have certain stable structures and that they change in a linear development model of social change. Concept of stability is a defining characteristic of structure, defines activities that are necessary for the survival of the system, i.e. society has functional requisites or imperatives where different functional requisites produce differentiated structures that specialize in accomplishing the requisites.
The changes are system maintenance; structural differentiation; adaptive upgrading and; structural change
3.2. Conflict theories
The theory is basing on conflict as being an important source of social change. According to Marxism strains are inherent in social structures. Source of strains/contradictions is said to be the inherent scarcity of certain goods and values. Thus inequality is source of conflict. Unlike Marxism which sees a utopian society with no conflict in the end, neo-Marxists are antiutopian. Conflict is engine of change - has both destructive and creative consequences, destroy old orders, create new ones
Again according to Neo Marxism scholars conflicts doesn’t always derive from struggles in control of the means of production; other conflicts based on politics, religion, ethnic or ideological differences, e.g. class, status and power.
Accordingly conflict can be unregulated: e.g. terrorism, sabotage, disorder; regulated by social norms: e.g. economic boycotts, parliamentary debate, marketplace competitions; intense conflict: high degree of mobilization, commitment, emotional involvement; violent conflict: random, unorganized; pluralized conflict: many conflicts but not necessarily related and thus not much change, gradual and; superimposed conflict: dyadic conflicts, large cleavage between us and them, dramatic/intense change, not necessarily.
3.3 Interpretive theories
For Functionalists and Conflict theorists, the starting point of sociological analysis of change is structure. BUT For Interpretivists, change itself (interaction, process, negotiation) is the starting point, and structure is a by-product and temporary. Social change is the constant creation, negotiation and re-creation of social order. Social change can be understood by looking at change in meanings and definitions. Groups, societies, organizations become real only insofar that the actors believe they are to be real, thus a negotiated consensus about what is real emerges; i.e. society is literally a social construction, an outcome of historical process of symbolic interaction and negotiation. In complex societies, there is only a partial consensus on what constitutes objective social reality; instead there is a virtual tapestry of contending realities.
According to interpretivists change of external factors does not automatically produce social change. Rather when people redefine situations regarding those factors and thus act upon revised meanings, i.e. alter social behaviour, then there is social change.
4.0 CAUSES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
4.1 Materialistic perspectives
Materialistic perspectives emphasize on technology technological causes of change, material culture (technology) changes more quickly than nonmaterial culture (values, ideas, norms, ideologies), i.e. there is a period of maladjustment (a lag time) during which nonmaterial culture is still adapting to new material conditions. Technology causes change in three namely (i) increases alternatives available to society, creates new opportunities; (ii) alters interaction patterns among people, changes structures of human groups and; (iii) creates new problems.
4. 2. Idealistic perspectives
These are values, beliefs and ideologies. In essence, values and beliefs, both religious and secular, have decisive impact on shaping social change. Example in Protestantism produced a cultural ethic which sanctified work and worldly achievement, encouraged frugality and discouraged consumption. Unintended consequences of this religious worldview, this-worldly asceticism, encouraged development of large pools of capital through encouraging work, savings and non-frivolous consumption, and encouraged rational reinvestment and economic growth. Work was a religiously sanctioned calling. Each man is a moral free agent, accountable only to God. Suspicious of material consumption beyond bare necessities believing it led to moral corruption.
We should however note that ideas and values can cause change or be barriers to change, can be barriers at one time or promote change at another time. Ideational culture can cause change by:
5.0 PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
5.1 Linear models
Change is said to be linear when is cumulative, non repetitive, developmental and usually permanent. The typical examples of linear models of change are;
· A broad historical pattern of change in human societies as involving transition from small, undifferentiated societies with homogeneous culture to large societies with high degree of structural differentiation and heterogeneous culture. It is caused by innovations in the technology of economic production that produced ever larger surplus of material resources; hunting and gathering; pastoral and horticultural; agricultural and; industrial
· Urbanization; involves ancient process of interaction between cities and surrounding countryside. The city are a marketplace (economic production), centre of political and administrative authority (political power) and of urban community. There are ancient and medieval cities; commercial cities; industrial cities; corporate cities and world cities
5.2 Cyclical models
Here change is said to be cyclical and repetitive in nature e.g. business cycles, families, college life t.c.
5.3 Dialectical models
Contains elements of both cyclical and linear change, and thus change is spiral; significant change takes place as an attempt to resolve the accumulation of intolerable contradictions, the unravelling of stresses that are inherent in social life; short term repetitive change but with long term cumulative directional change; processes of change persist but the contents of the processes are changing.
6.0 CONCLUSION
There are established institutions in every society and they are subjected to positive or negative changes. When the old institutions crumble, there is no guarantee that more human-centered structures will replace them.
That is why we all must participate in the transformation of society—to ensure that human values replace the values of the old elite. Our struggle should not be completely political because political revolutions simply deliver concentrated power into new hands, rather than dispersing it. Furthermore, political thought is rarely innovative: political change usually originates from social conditions, rather than the other way around. Instead of political revolution, our goal should be social revolution. Social revolution is nothing more than a change in the way we live our lives. It springs from changes in the way we think.
In today's context, revolution occurs when people stop believing one thing, and start believing something else; when people discard their old ways of living, and begin to live in new ways. When enough people lose faith in an institution and begin to act as if it did not exist, that institution disappears.
Most values and institutions are social constructions. They are invented by the society. And if they don't serve needs of the society, they can be eliminated.
Everything done in a society can have revolutionary implications: How the society makes money, how it spends leisure time, how individuals relate to their family, friends, co-workers, strangers. Every activity that asserts individuality and autonomy from corporate/government/religious control is in itself a profoundly revolutionary act, regardless of content.
7.0 REFERENCES
Community Wealth Ventures (2003), Powering Social Changes; Lessons on Community Wealth Generation for Nonprofit Sustainability, Washington DC
Doepke, M & Zilibotti, F (2005). "Social Class and the Spirit of Capitalism," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 3(2-3), pages 516-524, 04/05.
Parsons, T (1966), Societies: Evolutionary and Comparative Perspectives. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
Sztompka, P (1994), The Sociology of Social Change, Blackwell Publishers, 1994,
http://www.reslife.cmich.edu
http://www.wikipedia.com Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1.1 Background
Social change is said to be inevitable as it happens over time as the response to the changing patterns of surrounding environments and communities. It can be positive or negative. Positive social change is most desired as it results to improvement of the social institutions unlike negative social change which leads to partial or total destruction of social institutions. This short paper is about social changes giving the meaning, types, theories, causes and patterns of social changes. Mainly the paper argues that social change must occur as it transforms the society to overcome the changing patterns of the surrounding environments. All individuals in the society must participate in the transformation of society—to ensure that human values replace the values of the old elite.
1.2 The meaning of Social change
Social change is a general term which refers to change in the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society, community of people, or other structures. It also refers to any event or action that affects a group of individuals that have shared values or characteristics. Social change may as well refer to acts of advocacy for the cause of changing society in a normative way (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
Social change is the structural transformation of political, social and economic systems and institution to create a more equitable and just society.
The concept of social change implies measurement of some characteristics of this group of individuals. While the term is usually applied to changes that are beneficial to society, it may result in negative side-effects or consequences that undermine or eliminate existing ways of life that are considered positive.
2.0 TYPES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
2.1 Progressive Social Change
This is defined as activity that leads to greater citizen empowerment and involvement more effective institutions, particularly in, but not limited to, the government and social sectors ; Greater accountability, mutual responsibility and transparency between and among individuals, organizations, movements and sectors (e.g. government, social and business) and more widespread prosperity via more equal opportunity and access
2.2 Negative social change/Societal collapse
This is the large scale breakdown or long term decline of the culture, civil institutions or other major characteristics of a society or a civilization, on a temporary or permanent basis. The breakdown of cultural and social institutions is perhaps the most common feature of collapse. Societies may not end or die when they collapse, but may instead adapt and be born anew. The good mentioned example of negative social changes is the collapse of Roman Empire.
3 0 THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
3.1 Functionalism
The key concept of functionalism theories of social change is that societies have certain stable structures and that they change in a linear development model of social change. Concept of stability is a defining characteristic of structure, defines activities that are necessary for the survival of the system, i.e. society has functional requisites or imperatives where different functional requisites produce differentiated structures that specialize in accomplishing the requisites.
The changes are system maintenance; structural differentiation; adaptive upgrading and; structural change
3.2. Conflict theories
The theory is basing on conflict as being an important source of social change. According to Marxism strains are inherent in social structures. Source of strains/contradictions is said to be the inherent scarcity of certain goods and values. Thus inequality is source of conflict. Unlike Marxism which sees a utopian society with no conflict in the end, neo-Marxists are antiutopian. Conflict is engine of change - has both destructive and creative consequences, destroy old orders, create new ones
Again according to Neo Marxism scholars conflicts doesn’t always derive from struggles in control of the means of production; other conflicts based on politics, religion, ethnic or ideological differences, e.g. class, status and power.
Accordingly conflict can be unregulated: e.g. terrorism, sabotage, disorder; regulated by social norms: e.g. economic boycotts, parliamentary debate, marketplace competitions; intense conflict: high degree of mobilization, commitment, emotional involvement; violent conflict: random, unorganized; pluralized conflict: many conflicts but not necessarily related and thus not much change, gradual and; superimposed conflict: dyadic conflicts, large cleavage between us and them, dramatic/intense change, not necessarily.
3.3 Interpretive theories
For Functionalists and Conflict theorists, the starting point of sociological analysis of change is structure. BUT For Interpretivists, change itself (interaction, process, negotiation) is the starting point, and structure is a by-product and temporary. Social change is the constant creation, negotiation and re-creation of social order. Social change can be understood by looking at change in meanings and definitions. Groups, societies, organizations become real only insofar that the actors believe they are to be real, thus a negotiated consensus about what is real emerges; i.e. society is literally a social construction, an outcome of historical process of symbolic interaction and negotiation. In complex societies, there is only a partial consensus on what constitutes objective social reality; instead there is a virtual tapestry of contending realities.
According to interpretivists change of external factors does not automatically produce social change. Rather when people redefine situations regarding those factors and thus act upon revised meanings, i.e. alter social behaviour, then there is social change.
4.0 CAUSES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
4.1 Materialistic perspectives
Materialistic perspectives emphasize on technology technological causes of change, material culture (technology) changes more quickly than nonmaterial culture (values, ideas, norms, ideologies), i.e. there is a period of maladjustment (a lag time) during which nonmaterial culture is still adapting to new material conditions. Technology causes change in three namely (i) increases alternatives available to society, creates new opportunities; (ii) alters interaction patterns among people, changes structures of human groups and; (iii) creates new problems.
4. 2. Idealistic perspectives
These are values, beliefs and ideologies. In essence, values and beliefs, both religious and secular, have decisive impact on shaping social change. Example in Protestantism produced a cultural ethic which sanctified work and worldly achievement, encouraged frugality and discouraged consumption. Unintended consequences of this religious worldview, this-worldly asceticism, encouraged development of large pools of capital through encouraging work, savings and non-frivolous consumption, and encouraged rational reinvestment and economic growth. Work was a religiously sanctioned calling. Each man is a moral free agent, accountable only to God. Suspicious of material consumption beyond bare necessities believing it led to moral corruption.
We should however note that ideas and values can cause change or be barriers to change, can be barriers at one time or promote change at another time. Ideational culture can cause change by:
5.0 PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
5.1 Linear models
Change is said to be linear when is cumulative, non repetitive, developmental and usually permanent. The typical examples of linear models of change are;
· A broad historical pattern of change in human societies as involving transition from small, undifferentiated societies with homogeneous culture to large societies with high degree of structural differentiation and heterogeneous culture. It is caused by innovations in the technology of economic production that produced ever larger surplus of material resources; hunting and gathering; pastoral and horticultural; agricultural and; industrial
· Urbanization; involves ancient process of interaction between cities and surrounding countryside. The city are a marketplace (economic production), centre of political and administrative authority (political power) and of urban community. There are ancient and medieval cities; commercial cities; industrial cities; corporate cities and world cities
5.2 Cyclical models
Here change is said to be cyclical and repetitive in nature e.g. business cycles, families, college life t.c.
5.3 Dialectical models
Contains elements of both cyclical and linear change, and thus change is spiral; significant change takes place as an attempt to resolve the accumulation of intolerable contradictions, the unravelling of stresses that are inherent in social life; short term repetitive change but with long term cumulative directional change; processes of change persist but the contents of the processes are changing.
6.0 CONCLUSION
There are established institutions in every society and they are subjected to positive or negative changes. When the old institutions crumble, there is no guarantee that more human-centered structures will replace them.
That is why we all must participate in the transformation of society—to ensure that human values replace the values of the old elite. Our struggle should not be completely political because political revolutions simply deliver concentrated power into new hands, rather than dispersing it. Furthermore, political thought is rarely innovative: political change usually originates from social conditions, rather than the other way around. Instead of political revolution, our goal should be social revolution. Social revolution is nothing more than a change in the way we live our lives. It springs from changes in the way we think.
In today's context, revolution occurs when people stop believing one thing, and start believing something else; when people discard their old ways of living, and begin to live in new ways. When enough people lose faith in an institution and begin to act as if it did not exist, that institution disappears.
Most values and institutions are social constructions. They are invented by the society. And if they don't serve needs of the society, they can be eliminated.
Everything done in a society can have revolutionary implications: How the society makes money, how it spends leisure time, how individuals relate to their family, friends, co-workers, strangers. Every activity that asserts individuality and autonomy from corporate/government/religious control is in itself a profoundly revolutionary act, regardless of content.
7.0 REFERENCES
Community Wealth Ventures (2003), Powering Social Changes; Lessons on Community Wealth Generation for Nonprofit Sustainability, Washington DC
Doepke, M & Zilibotti, F (2005). "Social Class and the Spirit of Capitalism," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 3(2-3), pages 516-524, 04/05.
Parsons, T (1966), Societies: Evolutionary and Comparative Perspectives. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
Sztompka, P (1994), The Sociology of Social Change, Blackwell Publishers, 1994,
http://www.reslife.cmich.edu
http://www.wikipedia.com Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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