A
variety of reasons have been offered throughout history to explain why social
change occurs. The problem of explaining social change was central to nineteenth
century sociology.
Many theories of society that claimed to be scientific were in fact theories of change.
In this article, you will know 5 major theories of social change (explained) and criticism respectively.
What is Social Change?
Sociologists
define social change as a transformation of cultures, institutions, and
functions. Most change isn’t instantaneous.
In
society, change is often very slow. There are a variety of parts and forces at
work, many of which resist disruptions of the status quo. All societies go
through these types of changes at one point. You don’t need to be an avid
student of history to know that.
Consider
a modern society and reflect on what it looked like hundreds of years ago.
Often, society is unrecognizable.
What
are the theories on how social change functions?
What
are the causes and effects?
5 Major Theories/Approaches of Social Change
There
are many theories on social change developed by sociologists in order to explain
the nature, direction, cause, and effects of social change.
These
various theories are:
1. Structural
Functionalist approach/theory
2. Conflict
theory
3. Cyclic
theory
4. Linear
theory
5. Modernization
theory
Let
us discuss about these social change theories
1. Structural-Functionalist Approach to Social Change
Functionalists
emphasize what maintains society, not what changes it. The functionalist theory
focuses on social order, consensus, and stability of the social system. They
are of the opinion that change disrupts the orderly functioning of the system.
Later,
the American sociologist Talottll Parsons (1966), presented an “equilibrium
model of social change which stated that society is always in a natural state
of equilibrium. Gradual change is both necessary and desirable and arises from
population growth, industrialization, technological advances, and interaction
with other societies that bring new ways of thinking and acting.
However,
any sudden social change disrupts this equilibrium. To prevent this from
happening, if one part of society sees too sudden a change, then other parts of
society must make appropriate adjustments in order to bring the social system
back to equilibrium and its smooth functioning.
Criticisms of functionalist theory to social change
The
functionalist perspective to social change has been criticized on a few grounds
as follows:
a) Critics
argue to minimize the functionalists’ effects of change.
b) The
functionalist theory also assumes that sudden social change is highly
undesirable, when such change may in fact be needed to correct inequality and
other deficiencies in the status quo.
c) Critics
argue that functionalists ignore the use of force by society’s power to maintain
an illusion of stability and integration.
2. Conflict Theory
The
conflict theory is from one of the theories of social change, which has its
root in the ‘dialectical materialism’ developed by Karl Marx, stands against
structural functionalism. Conflict theory views social change as a normal and
essential (beneficial) phenomenon.
The
conflict theorists believed that it is the conflict between individuals,
classes, groups, institutions, etc. that bring change in the society. They
mention that every society has conflicting groups wherein there is an
exploitation of one group by another.
For
a time being, the exploited class does not realize being exploited but in course
of time, they realize their position of being exploited and in turn, they unite
through class consciousness and revolt against the exploiters (bourgeoisie,
capitalist, owners of means of production).
Finally,
a classless society is established.
Again,
this new arrangement gives rise to conflicting groups/classes that again come
into conflict, and this process is continuous.
Hence,
conflict theorists consider class conflict as the prime mover (driver or
vehicle) of social change.
Criticism of Conflict Approach to Social Change
The
conflict theory to social change has been criticized on a few grounds as
follows:
a) Critics
of conflict theory say that it exaggerates the extent of social inequality and
overemphasizes conflict rooted in economic inequality while neglecting conflict
rooted in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.
b) Nowhere
in the world, is seen the capitalist societies turned into classless communist/
socialist societies as predicted by Marists (conflict theorists).
c) Critics
blame that conflict theorists do not realize that social upheaval does not
inevitably lead to positive or expected outcomes.
3. Cyclic Theory
This theory states that society undergoes a change in a circular manner. Social change takes a cyclic form, from worse to better, back again from better to worse.
Social change is not always for the better. Societies may grow, advance,
and reach the peak stage of development, and then they may stagnate and finally
collapse, with the potential for rising again.
Criticism of Cyclic Approach to Social Change
Following
are the main points of the criticism on cyclic theory of social change.
a) Historical
facts do not very frequently support the validity of this theory.
b) It
is not necessary that every society must face all the three stages with regular
time interval.
c) It
is an oversimplification because human society is not so simple, clear and sure that it should wait for
the cyclic change.
4. Linear Theory or Evolutionary
This theory states that change takes place in a linear manner. The direction of social change is from worse to better, simple to complex, and backward to modern.
In other words, according to linear theory, social change is
evolutionary which means that it is always moving towards better results until
perfection is achieved.
Criticism of Linear Theory or Evolutionary to Social Change
Linear theories are criticized for their value
bias and hence lacked objectivity, a precondition for scientific study. Their
nomenclature (‘savage’, ‘primitive’ etc referring older societies) reflects
their bias.
Further, the various theorists also don’t agree
upon the various stages as well.
5. Modernization Theory
This
theory of social change can be understood as an extension of linear, evolutionary
theory. It states that the change that is being experienced by most Third World
societies is by imitating or copying the values, experiences, and models
already used by advanced, industrialized societies i.e. Western societies.
Social
change is by adopting, assimilating, and internalizing those aspects of the
industrialized societies which copied would bring about an improved social,
economic, and political development to the third world society.
The theory has also been criticized
empirically, as modernization theorists ignore external sources of change in
societies. The binary between traditional and modern is unhelpful, as the two
are linked and often interdependent, and "modernization" does not
come as a whole.
Difference between the Functionalist and Conflict Theories of Social Change
Some
of the major differences between these two theories regarding views on social
change are:
a) The
functional theory assumes the status quo is generally good and sudden social
change is undesirable. Whereas, Conflict theory assumes the status quo is
generally bad and sudden social change in the form of protest or revolution as
both desirable and necessary to reduce or eliminate social inequality and other
social ills.
b) The
functional theory views industrialization as a positive development that helped
make modern society possible. Whereas, Conflict theory views industrialization
as negative development that exploited workers and thus increased social
inequality. Functionalists recognize that social change is unplanned. Whereas,
Conflict theorists recognize that social change is planned (intended) and often
arises from efforts by social movements aimed at bringing about fundamental
changes in the social, economic, and political systems.
What triggers Social Change?
No
society stays the same forever, but what specific causes drive it? Social
change has three main triggers:
1. Conflict
It
is clear from a glance at our global history that conflict provokes social
change. Inequalities based on class, race, gender, religion, and more foster
dissatisfaction and anger. To address their situation, groups come together to
fight for change. Governments can be overthrown or restructured. Sometimes
change happens quickly, but oftentimes it develops over time in stages.
2. Demographic change
When
the demographic makeup of a society changes, social change is inevitable.
Society’s demographics often change when births increase and/or people start
living longer. A bigger population affects the dispersal and availability of
resources. An increase in immigration or emigration also affects society.
3. Cultural change
New
inventions, discoveries, and the spread of ideas contribute to cultural
changes. Consider the effect of the internet. It’s not only changed the culture
of individual countries but the entire world. It’s transformed how we
communicate, as well as the structure of countless industries. Discoveries also
impact a society’s culture. Consider how much changed when the Europeans
“discovered” America. This example shows how social change is not always
beneficial to everyone. New ideas about gender, race, religion, work,
education, and so on also change a culture.
Examples of Social Change
Social
change often occurs as a result of social movements.
There
are countless examples throughout history in every country on earth.
Some
of the most famous (many of which are ongoing and/or evolving) include:
1. The
abolition of the transatlantic slave trade
2. The
Civil Rights movement
3. The
feminist movement
4. The
green movement
5. The
LGBTQ+ rights movement
6. The
Reformation
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