The Modernization Of The United States - 895 Words

Understandably, significant historical debate flourishes around any relative or ambiguous terminology; therefore, it should be of no surprise the topic of the ‘modernization’ of the United States garners little consensus. While some historians see elements of modernity in the widespread political participation of the initial decades of colonial settlement, others focus on the economic and demographic diversity of the eighteenth century as their focal point. Contrasting historians insist the American Revolution became the catalyst for permanent change, while still more contend westward expansion and the conclusion of the Civil War mark the time of the United States’ ‘arrival.’ The innate relativism of ‘modernity’ insures from the outset of debate that no one will be right, and that no one can be wrong. One historian’s vision of ‘modern’ will inherently be distinct from the next. However, as futile as the debate over the beginnings of modernity may be, readers can still gain much from such research. In 1973, just one year after Brown’s â€Å"Modernization† article was published, Murrin co-authored an article with Rowland Berthoff titled â€Å"Feudalism, Communalism, and the Yeoman Freeholder: The American Revolution Considered as a Social Accident.† Although Brown is not included in the citations the two article’s descriptions of mid-eighteenth century colonial society are remarkably similar. Murrin and Berthoff conclude â€Å"†¦the century from 1725 to 1825 was far from static. TheShow MoreRelatedFuture of Modernization1232 Words   |  5 PagesFuture of Modernization William Watkins SOC / 120 January 22, 2012 Brenda Miller As we begin to ponder the future of modernization, and the possible consequences that are apt to occur, perhaps we should first revisit the definition of modernization. To this end we can start by saying that modernization is thought of as a concept that states that the development of societies can be considered as a standard evolutionary pattern that has a tendency to stimulate growth. It can also be consideredRead MoreThe Meiji Restoration: A Crucial Moment in the History of Japan965 Words   |  4 Pagespolitical power and the third largest national economy after the United States and China as per the 2011 figures. The development of the Japanese economy to reach such a status happened in time and especially after the Restoration of the Meji Dynasty in 1868. Since then, Japan was in constant contact with the western world especially with the United States. The Meji Restoration was a crucial moment in the history of the Japanese state and its culture because it provided the historical breakaway fromRead MoreAmerican Political Scientist Samuel Huntington1401 Words   |  6 Pagesalthough modernity breeds stability it is modernization that breeds instability. Many of the world’s greatest economists forecast that China will overtake the United States as the world’s economic powerhouse in the near future. However, that will largely depend on how well the Chinese government can control its modernization both politically and economically. China’s rapid ascension through its distorted economic reforms has undermined the United States’ economic interests and can lead to the potentialRead MoreModernization668 Words   |  3 Pagesmajor assumptions of the modernization theory of development basically are: Modernization is a phased process;Modernization is a homogenizing process, in this sense, we can say that modern ization produces tendencies toward convergence among societies, for example, as time goes on, they and we will increasingly resemble one another because the patterns of modernization are such that the more highly modernized societies become, the more they resemble one another. Modernization is a europeanizationRead MoreModernization And Development Towards Democracy1544 Words   |  7 PagesThis research paper uncovers the study of modernization and how it correlates to political development towards democracy. First, it examines the development and origins of the modernization theory that encompass a number of explanations that connect economic, social and cultural changes with shifts in political systems. Modernization puts forth the idea that economic development will lead to cultural and social changes that transform the political behavior of a country’s citizens that can ultimatelyRead MoreModernization Theory Of The Post War Years1324 Words   |  6 Pages In his inaugural speech in 1949, Truman captured the United States’ optimistic sentiment with regards to development following the Second World War. The United States found themselves in a unique position where they had shown their military and technological prowess, were the only vi ctor whose infrastructure had not been damaged by the war and saw themselves as the technological leader of the world and a model to be emulated. Along with growing fears about Cold War tensions and the threat of communismRead MoreFuture of Modernization710 Words   |  3 PagesFuture of Modernization SOC/120 May 4, 2013 University of Phoenix Future of Modernization Modernization in the United States has four traits which were identified by Peter Berger in 1977. The first trait was the decline of small, isolated communities. Approximately one hundred years ago there were 40% of Americans living in cities. Today, 80% of the population lives in cities. The next trait is the expansion of personal choice. Most people choose their lifestyles instead of allowingRead MoreModern Society : Democracy And The Modernization Theory1414 Words   |  6 Pagesdemocracy is a number one goal for many states. They like to reach it for plenty of reasons, civil and economic. First of all democracy is associated with wealth, a good material situation, and economic growth. We can clearly see it on example of The United States or large European democracies such as Germany or France. It is also believed that democratization brings high living standards, peaceful environment and overall happiness to the state; and The United States and European democracies are als o aRead MoreThe United States Proliferation Treaty ( Npt )1173 Words   |  5 Pagesthe treaty to fit changing standards. In 2015, the major concern is the modernization of nuclear weapons. Defined as the life extension of current nuclear weapons, every nuclear armed state is spending billions on this act of supposed â€Å"disarmament† Some would argue that this trend should be included in our treaty and that the United Nations should encourage nuclear-armed countries to pursue this trend. In reality, modernization presents a threat to the process of disarmament and we must take measuresRead MoreCultural Norms And Practices Are Shaped And Practiced Over The Years Essay1491 Words   |  6 Pagesresult of modernization, the original indigenous practices of the community begin to disappear, and are replaced by ideas from more developed Western countries. Culture is forever changing, and it adapts based on the changes happening within the people of the community and their envir onment. With modernization, ideas and beliefs that are practiced in Western societies are diffused across the world, setting the standard for behavior that should be commonly practiced in all societies. Modernization in tribal