This may be both a positive and negative process for the area depending on the consequences. Modernization can be a positive in allowing underdeveloped nations access to better medical technology as well as enabling them to better communicate with the rest of the world using cell phones or computers. It can also be a negative though, as this process is viewed as irreversible and cultures will never be able to get back to what their society was like before Modernization hit. It can also create problems in distracting individuals with modern conveniences when they have much more important issues to deal with such as getting food for the day or other necessities. They may also be exposed to thoughts or connotations about their country that can produce a stigma towards their own country or other countries. An example of this would be the negative feelings many underdeveloped countries have towards the United States, due to what they have seen and heard of us through the media. Many believe us all to be obese and lazy, to the point where they may even being to hate our country based on their perceptions of what they have seen or heard of us.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Blog 11: Modernization Theory
One of the important topics covered this week was the concept of Globalization and Modernization Theory. Globalization is the processes that are occurring in our world that are gradually changing Nations from being more individual into one global entity. This process has been increased exponentially with the popularity of the internet allowing countries to interact with little delay. This has caused ideas and technology to be spread quickly across the world to the point where countries that may be lacking basic bathroom facilities or clean water are still able to have a population with plenty of Iphones and other modern conveniences. This causes the concept known as Modernization theory, which states that modern/progressive values and technologies are being brought to countries that would be deemed underdeveloped. An example of this would be countries in Africa in which the citizens may have access to the internet, but lack food and shelter.
This may be both a positive and negative process for the area depending on the consequences. Modernization can be a positive in allowing underdeveloped nations access to better medical technology as well as enabling them to better communicate with the rest of the world using cell phones or computers. It can also be a negative though, as this process is viewed as irreversible and cultures will never be able to get back to what their society was like before Modernization hit. It can also create problems in distracting individuals with modern conveniences when they have much more important issues to deal with such as getting food for the day or other necessities. They may also be exposed to thoughts or connotations about their country that can produce a stigma towards their own country or other countries. An example of this would be the negative feelings many underdeveloped countries have towards the United States, due to what they have seen and heard of us through the media. Many believe us all to be obese and lazy, to the point where they may even being to hate our country based on their perceptions of what they have seen or heard of us.
This is what many other countries view all Americans as.
This may be both a positive and negative process for the area depending on the consequences. Modernization can be a positive in allowing underdeveloped nations access to better medical technology as well as enabling them to better communicate with the rest of the world using cell phones or computers. It can also be a negative though, as this process is viewed as irreversible and cultures will never be able to get back to what their society was like before Modernization hit. It can also create problems in distracting individuals with modern conveniences when they have much more important issues to deal with such as getting food for the day or other necessities. They may also be exposed to thoughts or connotations about their country that can produce a stigma towards their own country or other countries. An example of this would be the negative feelings many underdeveloped countries have towards the United States, due to what they have seen and heard of us through the media. Many believe us all to be obese and lazy, to the point where they may even being to hate our country based on their perceptions of what they have seen or heard of us.
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I agree completely with what you say when modernization can make people forget about the big more important things in their lives. I feel as that is the main reason people of 3rd world countries do not like or want to modernize because they don't want to forget about their priorities or beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your take on the modernization theory. Why do countries have to follow that model? I guess the real question is: What does it mean to be modern? I mean, modern could be a bad thing. Overconsumption is a norm of our society and we are abusing our resources. Just some things to think about. Good post!
ReplyDeleteI very much agree with everything said in your blog! I also injured all of the information you summarized for us! America has a terrible reputation, but I think that we do it to ourselves, hens the Simpsons clip you provided. It was saddening watching the movie in class, just because I could honestly never see myself being able to live how they did! In a tent, with barely anything to eat, wear, or keep them warm with. The fact that the husband didn't want his wife to leave made me so angry! She will actually make something of herself now, with or without him!
ReplyDeleteJust as mentioned by the comments above, I too agree with your take on the modernization theory. It just goes to show how much of an impact that the western culture have on the rest of the world, rather if it's good or bad. I found the Simpsons clip to be funny because it's not too far off from what foreigners perception of a what typical American male is.
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