MODERNIZATION IN DIGITAL ERA



Photo Courtesy - Nirmal Poddar

Mukesh Devrari

Modernization is a series of transitions from primitive subsistence economies to technology intensive industrialized economies, from subject to participant political cultures, from closed ascriptive status systems to open achievement oriented systems, from extended to nuclear kinship units, from religious to secular ideologies and so on. (Tipps, 1973, 204) In other words, every characteristic of the modern western nation-state is a symbol of modernity.

Modernization is generally referred as an ongoing process to improvise the lives of people in third world countries. But another section also interprets it as a conspiracy against the impoverished population of third world countries. Acceptance of modernization is interpreted as accepting western superiority and dominance.

Photo Courtesy - Nirmal Poddar

Max Weber in his book, ‘Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ held Asian cultural values responsible for their backwardness. Other western scholars also held culturally practices responsible for eastern backwardness. It is claimed that west represents a point in the long journey. It is up to the third world countries whether they would wait for internal churning for hundreds of years to reach the same conclusion for they would prefer to learn from the experiences of others.

Digital media has enhanced the speed for modernization. The greatest lure of modernization is its ability to convince who are yet not properly indoctrinated. If the indoctrination of the individual is not complete, he or she might fell for the charm of modernization as this idea keeps the individual at the centre of everything. Digital media provide access to messages in various forms which might dismantle the indoctrination project of society.

Digital media itself is not a value-neutral unit. The very emergence of technology makes users lead individual-centric lifestyle. Living in the digital world reduces the need to socialize with the real world. Even if there is a need for socialization, it can be provided through mediated technology. This very idea goes against the eastern value system.

Digital media opened the doors for wider experience. Human beings are shaped by the communication they consume all their life apart from their experiences. Digital media ensures that there is diversity in the messages and users are free to choose the most convincing one, at least in theory. West has succeeded in filling the digital media with their culture laden products which are being consumed by people across the planet. It is also shaping the society slowly. 

Herbert Spencer introduced the Darwinian concept on the survival of the fittest on society. It claimed that western societies survived and prevailed because they were superior to all other races and adapted properly to the changing conditions. (p. 81) Western society is not one homogenous unit. Eastern Society is also not one homogenous unit. Modernity has many facets. It is not necessary for eastern societies to accept the entire package, but there is no harm in imbibing the values which are logical, rational and scientific. However, what is logical, rational and scientific is also debatable.  

Photo Courtesy - Nirmal Poddar

For Indians, it makes sense not to accept the economic values of modernization in totality, but the cultural values can be accepted. It is the first choice. For Indians, it makes no sense to accept the cultural values, but economic values of modernization can be accepted for progress. It is up to the individual which prescription he or she takes. Taking no prescription is not a choice. Change is only a constant variable.  

References

1. Tipps, D. C. (1973), “Modernization Theory and Comparative Study of Societies: A Critical Perspective.” Comparative Studies in Society and History, pp. 199-226
2. Melkote, S. R. & Steeves, H. L (2001), Communication for Development in the Third World, Sage Publication, New Delhi.

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