The author's argument in this chapter is clear and compelling, and it provides a
fresh perspective on the subject of Social Change. The author uses a combination of
primary sources, secondary sources, and theoretical frameworks to explore the topic
of Social Change in a thought-provoking and insightful way.
Basically, I was meant to understand that social change, refers to the
transformation of a society's social structures and institutions over time. This
can include changes in the way people live, interact, and work together, as well as
changes in the values and beliefs that guide these interactions. It also captures
the level at which this transformation affects the daily activities carried out in
the society. The author took his time to list the examples of social change to
include, political shift, technology, etc.
Worthy of note is the concept of Social Change and Progress. I was meant to
understand that change is a desirable direction while progress is change in a
direction that is considered desirable.
NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL CHANGE.
Social change results from interaction of a number of factors: it doesn’t exist
in isolation. Just a single factor can’t bring forth a particular change. So there
have to be a corroboration with other factors to bring change to play, it could be
physical, biological, technological, cultural etc.
Social change may create chain reaction: this point emphasizes on how just one
action that will lead to change can trigger changes in other aspects of life. A
case study of the change in the rights and privileges of women that have set other
changes such as, the Nigerian Women assuming political offices in motion.
Social change as modification and replacement: social change can also take the
form of replacement. Bringing things that were limited or alien to some certain
persons to become their way of life. A case study of those who always eat fufu, but
they now eat rice and beans and can go for days without eating fufu. Also
initially, wine was made for nobles and can only be gotten in special occasions but
the reverse in the case in todays world. Social change takes the form of
replacement, both in ideas and materials.
Social change is environmental: Social change doesn’t occur spiritual, it must take
a physical and cultural context.
Social change is temporal: It doesn’t last forever but at the same time, mere
passage of time doesn’t cause change in the biological process of aging. Change
happen through time and the society evolves through the passage of time.
Social change is human change: all social changes involves a human, the change
doesn’t happen to itself. The society isn’t constant and the people in it changes
in size, and composition since people move from one place to another.
Social change involves Tempo (Rate) and Direction of Change: The school of
thought that universal laws governs the concept of change has been argued on and
abandoned by many sociologists. The rate of change can be seen based on the society
in question. Whether rural or urban. And changes is culturally connected so it’s
not govern by universal laws.
Social change can be classified as planned and unplanned: The tempo of social
change are connected to human efforts, because there are plans and programs that
can instigate change. Such form of change is induced by humans. While unplanned
social change refers to changes resulting from natural events such as earthquakes,
floods, famines etc.
Short vs long run changes: Some social changes happen immediately while others
takes longer to manifest. A change that people are jumping at and which appears to
be very vital today May have nothing to do with tomorrow’s trends.
Social change is an objective term: it has no value judgement attached to it.
Social change is continuous: social transforms everyday and the world can’t be
static so it’s continuous process.
THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Over time, there have been emerging school of thoughts on the concept of Social
Change. There are proponents and theories based on, divine determination. Which
entails that God instigate change based on Man’s obedience or disobedience to him.
And individuals can either be punished or rewarded based on their deeds.
Early Greek philosophers sees change as the development from man’s original self.
August Comte, the Father of Sociology is a renowned scholar in the field of social
change. The various Theories of social change can be classified into the following:
Theories of Causation, theories of Process, theories of Analysis.
Theories of Causation has been classified into; Geographic determinism which has
to do with changes that occur based on the geographical location. Also Biological
determinism, which entails theories that explains social change based on traits.
Furthermore Economic determinism has to do with theories that has to do with the
consideration of economic factor in regards to production and demand as the basics
for social change. and Cultural determinism, has to do with theories that seeks to
explain social change as an element of cultural heritage.
Challenges and response. Arnold Toynbee explains that, every society faces
challenges at first. Either from the environment or from internal and external
enemies. The aftermath depends on the societies response.
Theories of progress are classified into; Linear theory which emphasizes the
concept of evolution with it’s proponents in the likes of August Comte, Chalse
Darwin etc. They were of the opinion that, human societies evolves over time.
Through savagery, barbarism and civilization as propounded by L.H Morgan. Also the
Unilinear theory which maintains that, that societies pass through the same process
of evolution to reach their expected end.
Also there is the Conflict Theory with Karl Marx as it’s major proponent. He
argues that a society that is wealthy and powerful ensures that social practices
are favorable to them, as a result, change plays a vital role by remedying
inequalities and injustice.
Cyclical theories: focuses on the rise and fall of civilization, attempting to
account for the pattern of growth and decay. Each phase emerged from the previous
phase which will give rise to the next phase.
Sorokin: Pitirin Sorokin in his book Social and Cultural Dynamics in the year
1938 offered another explanation of social change. He said that idealism culture
are those things that can only be perceived by the mind that will lead to social
change.
Theories of Functional Analysis: instead of engaging in formulating theories of
social change, sociologists instead follows the study of the approaches.
Functionalist Theory.
Focuses on what maintains the society or what keeps it. Alcott Parsons saw society
in its natural state as stable and balanced.
CRITICISM
This chapter review provides a well-researched and comprehensive overview of the
existing literature on social change. The author has clearly defined and explained
the key concepts, and has drawn on relevant evidence to support their arguments.
The review is well-structured and flows logically from one section to the next.
However, the author could have provided more critical analysis of the strengths and
weaknesses of the existing literature, rather than simply describing it. Overall,
this is a well-written and informative chapter review that makes a valuable
contribution to the field.
RECOMMENDATION
This chapter review provides a useful overview of the current literature on social
change, and would be a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the key
concepts and ideas in this field. I would recommend it to students and scholars of
sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences, as well as to anyone with an
interest in social change. The text is well-written and easy to follow, and the
author's conclusions are clear and well-supported by the evidence presented.
