Modernization
►Modernization refers to a process of
change by which traditional, nonindustrial
societies acquire characteristics of
technologically complex societies.
►Accelerated modernization interconnecting
all parts of the world is known as
Globalization.
MODERNIZATION
SUBPROCESSES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Technological development
Agricultural development
Industrialization
Urbanization
GLOBALIZATION
Global Challenges, Local Responses, and
the Role of Anthropology
Cultural Future of Humanity
• Anthropologists unlike futurist
projections try to view things in
context, further than 50 years from
the present.
• They have a long-term historical
perspective and recognize culture
bound biases.
• Anthropologists are concerned with
the tendency to treat traditional
societies as obsolete when they appear
to stand in the way of “development.”
Global Culture
• Since the 1950’s it has been a belief
that eventually the world will become
one large homogeneous culture.
• Evident through such things as fast
food chains and soda companies like
Pepsi and Coca Cola.
– Here is a look at the KFC and Pizza Hut
next to the Pyramids at Giza (23
seconds)
• Meaning that if a North American
were to travel abroad, no matter the
destination, they would see a similar
culture to their own in North America.
– Do you think this could be possible?
Global Culture, Good?
• In theory it might sound like a world with
more peace and less misunderstandings of
differing cultures.
• The reality is that it is unlikely that
cultures will change into one similar
culture especially if they are being forced
to quickly do so by outside powerful
nations.
• What is created are poorer peasant
communities who are in the crosshairs of
“westernization” and their indigenous life
ways.
• Since they failed to change quick enough
for the western corporate powerhouses.
Ethnic Resurgence
• The presence of westernization is
glaringly obvious worldwide with
the diffusion of western food,
clothes, music, etc.
• This does not mean it is accepted.
There is an increase of ethnic
pressure against westernization.
• Resistance against globalization is
becoming much more frequent.
Cultural Pluralism &
Multiculturalism
• So what is the future?
• Chances are it includes a world with
multiculturalism- a public policy of
mutual respect and tolerance for cultural
differences.
• Ethnic tension, common in pluralistic
societies, sometimes turns violent,
leading to formal separation.
• To manage cultural diversity within such
societies, some countries have adopted
multiculturalism as an official public
policy.
Structural Power
• Structural power is the power
that organizes and orchestrates
the systemic interaction within
and among societies.
• Often directing economic and
political forces on the one hand
and ideological forces that shape
public ideas, values, and beliefs
on the other.
Structural Power
• Two major interacting forces of
structural power:
• Hard power is the type of power
that is backed up by economic and
military force.
• Soft power is the type of power that
is co-optive where one’s ideas are
pressed onto others through
attraction and persuasion to change
one’s ideas, beliefs, or values.
Economic Hard Power
• Large corporations which are
usually a cluster of several smaller
corporations held together by
common interest, money, and
strategy are controlled by one
group in one country.
• Their power and wealth, often
exceeding that of national
governments, has increased
dramatically through media
expansion.
Economic Hard Power
• Mega corporations have enormous
influence on the ideas and
behavior of hundreds of millions of
people worldwide.
• States and corporations compete
for scarce natural resources, cheap
labor, new commercial markets,
and ever-larger profits in a
political arena that spans the
entire globe.
Structural Violence
• Structural violence is physical
and/or psychological harm (including
repression, environmental destruction,
poverty, hunger, illness, and
premature death) caused by
impersonal, exploitative, and unjust
social, political, and economic systems.
• Current structures are poised to offer
wealth, power, and comfort for a lucky
few and poverty, suffering, and death
for the majority.
The Culture of Discontent
• As previously mentioned the world’s
poorest countries have been told that
they can and should enjoy a standard of
living comparable to that of the rich
countries.
• The resources necessary to maintain
such a luxurious standard of living are
limited. Non renewable resources would
quickly disappear at such a high rate of
consumption.
• This growing gap between expectations
and realizations has led to the creation
of a culture of discontent.
The Culture of Discontent
• The culture of discontent is not
limited to poor and
overpopulated countries.
• It can be found among the most
wealthy and enduring nations.
• Where the people are spending
money to obtain material riches
which often lead to more
discontent.