MEANING AND DEFINITION OF MODERNISATION

Modernisation is a process of change whereby less developed societies acquire the

characteristics of more developed societies including their ways of life and values. Through
this process, the developed societies transmit their keys of change and improvement to
traditional or less developed societies.
Through the transmission of modern scientific knowledge, the traditional societies achieve
better and more satisfactory changes in the field of education, economy, politics, culture and
traditions, administration, religion etc. Modernisation does not mean merely discarding all the
traditional values, customs, cultural and political heritage, faith and belief.
The term ‘modernisation’ was first introduced by Daniel Lerner in his study of the Middle-
Eastern societies. Daniel Lerner in his book, “The Passing of Traditional Society” (1958) has
mentioned about the importance of modernisation over westernization.

Definitions of Modernisation:
According to Daniel Lerner, “Modernisation is the current term for an old process of social
change whereby less developed societies acquire the characteristics common to more
developed societies.” According to Alatas, “Modernisation is a process by which modern
scientific knowledge is introduced in the society with the ultimate Social Change in India
Sociological Foundation of Education (Block 1) 95 purpose of achieving a better and a more
satisfactory life in the broadest sense of the term as accepted by the society concerned.”
According to Smelser, “Modernisation refers to “a complex set of changes that take place
almost in every part of society as it attempts to be industrialised. Modernisation involves
ongoing change in a society’s economy, politics, education, traditions and religion.”
According to Rutow and Ward,“The basic process in Modernisation is the application of
modern science to human affairs.”

5.3.1 Characteristics of Modernisation 

One of the important characteristics of modernisation is the use of scientific knowledge and
technology in day to day life approach for a better living. Using of modern science and
technology help to change and improve the traditional values and adopt new progressive
ones. 
Scientific and technological inventions brought remarkable changes in the field of social
organisation, culture, politics, economy and education. This is another important
characteristic of modernisation. 
Adoption of science and technology in industry, agriculture, dairy farming etc. to
revolutionise the concept of productivity is also considered as one of the important
characteristics of modernisation. 
Social mobilization is an important characteristic of modernisation. Through the process of
modernisation, a society transforms her old social, psychological, economic and political
elements and adopts new values for better living. 
Urbanisation is an important characteristic of modernisation. Through the process of
urbanisation, people migrated continuously from rural areas to urban areas for their
establishment.
Industrialisation is a common characteristic of modernisation. Industrialisation means
building up or establishing industries which leads to several social changes, for example–
establishing banks and business centres, extension of roads and other civic amenities, etc.

 Another important characteristic of modernisation is the growth of a number of specialised

organizations with new means of production and development of new professions. 
Another important characteristic of modernisation is the development of mass media. These
include newspapers, radio, television, movies etc. through which the citizens become
enlightened and well- informed about the changing trends in society.

 Modernisation does not necessarily mean discarding all the traditional values, norms and
beliefs but accepting all these with necessary modification. The process of modernisation
lays emphasis on rational and secular thinking, ideology based on nationalism, education,
mass communication, scientific and positive attitudes towards work and wealth, industrial
development and development of knowledge, urbanization etc.

7 5.3.2 Criteria of Modernity

Modernisation is a process whereby less developed societies acquire characteristics
common to more developed societies.
There are some criteria of modernity— 1. Economic self- sufficiency 2. Political participation
to make democracy fruitful 3. Secular and rational social norms 4. Social mobility 5. Spread
of literacy 6. Independent and neutral command of mass media 7. Improved communication
and transportation facility 8. Importance on urbanisation and industrialisation.

5.3.3 Causes of Modernisation There are many causes which are responsible for
Modernisation. These are— 
Spread of Education : Education is a process which helps in changing the traditional
attitude and norms and accepting the new rational attitude and values to adjust effectively
with the changing trends in society.  Use of science and technology: Use of science and
technology in day to day life and the use of scientific attitude help to reevaluate the
traditional norms, values and beliefs and help in effective adjustment with the new changing
trends in society.

 Industrialisation : Industrialisation is an important cause of modernisation. Due to the

establishment of new industries and factories, job opportunities increase and standard of
living become high. 
Urbanisation : Urbanisation and modernisation are inter-linked. Due to the establishment of
industries, educational institutions and important offices in cities, people migrate to cities
from rural areas for job prospect, better establishment and improvement of standard of living.
Improved communication system : Improved communication system, especially use of
internet, mobile phones, cinema, Radio, television etc., help in effective communication and
spreading of up-to-date information among the masses for changing the irrelevant thoughts
and practices from the society. 
Faith on Secularism and Democracy : Due to the faith and respect towards secularism
and democracy, people can enjoy their religious thought without any disturbance and take
active part in government formation and thereby help in cultivation of modern trends in
society. 
Faith on change : Due to the faith on change for betterment, the traditional norms, customs
and beliefs are subject to reevaluation and the modified ones are accepted for effective
adjustment with the changing trends in society.

5.4 PROCESS OF MODERNISATION IN INDIAN SOCIETY

The process of modernisation in India started mainly with the British establishing their rule in
India. The British defeated the French by 1763; captured Bengal, Odisha and Bihar in 1764;
defeated Tipu Sultan of Mysore in 1799; defeated the Marathas in 1818 and the Sikhs in
1849, and thereby gradually extended their journey of victory on the Indian soil. Through
contact with the British people, the traditional Indian society started to change her culture,
thoughts, beliefs, style of living, etc. The impact of modernisation in Indian society during the
British rule can be sub-divided into two parts – micro level and macro level. At the micro
level this led to changes in the social atmosphere. People began practicing their age old
customs and traditions, faiths and beliefs, norms and standard, culture and religion with
slight modification or sometimes without any modification. But social change occurred in the
macro level as well which helped the Indian society in the transformation towards
modernisation, for example—expansion of western form of education, increased popularity
of the English language and literature Social Change in India Sociological Foundation of
Education (Block 1) 99 over classical Indian languages, spread of urbanisation and
industrialisation, improvement in the field of communication and transportation system, etc.
After Independence, the speed of social change towards modernisation has increased
rapidly. Spread of basic education , adult education, recommendations of Education
Commissions and Policies, influence of nationalism , establishment of new social value
system, decreasing rigidity of caste system, improving social mobility, scientific and positive
attitude towards work, faith on democracy, secularism and rationalism, representative
government ,equality, planning for systematic change and progress, adopting the policy of
liberalisation and international cooperation, etc are the key factors of social change for
modernisation in India.

5.5 ROLE OF EDUCATION IN MODERNISATION

Modernisation is the result of education and enlightenment of individual and social life. It is
in fact the cause and effect of education. Education can build up a new generation of men
and women who believe in the activity and behaviour with the spirit of modernisation. It can
change the political, economic and cultural complexion of the society as a whole. It is
necessary to outline the following significant points in regard to modernisation through
education- 

Education can help to evolve an effective political ideology of the state for modernisation. 
It can raise per capita income and national productivity of the country for economic growth
and development of the people. 
It can raise the percentage of literacy and develop functional literacy of the people.

 It can raise the rate of scientific and technological development of modern civilisation. The
above points make it clear that education is the pre-requisite for modernisation of a society.
The role of education for modernisation is therefore, by nature, very comprehensive that
comprise all aspects of our development.