Has Modernization been a Positive or Negative Process

Has Modernization been a Positive or Negative Process

            Modernization is the process by which the world transformed from an agrarian, traditional, rural society to a more urbanized and industrialized society. Modernization process has made the world to change in terms of beliefs, moving from traditional to scientific beliefs. Modernization has its good and bad sides. Two major related causes of modernization are the industrial revolution in Europe and the advancement of the available technology. The industrial revolution started in Britain, and it saw the world move from handcraft to machine manufacturing economy. The industrial revolution in Europe brought significant economic, social, and political changes in Europe, resulting in events such as scramble for Africa. The modern political parties in the world reflect on the new industrial order from the way the political activities are conducted. Modernization process has led to both positive and negative changes in social, political, and economic spheres of life.

The main features of the industrial revolution were technological changes, social changes, political, and economic reforms. The use of new machine in agricultural practices led to the increase in food production, which is a positive feature of industrialization (Stearns, 2018). Also, industrial revolution introduced the use of new sources of energy such as petroleum and electricity, which led to the improvement of the European economy. Improvement in economic power due to the industrial revolution led to new political policies and social developments such as the construction of new cities. The industrial revolution led to the use of new technology in trade, and therefore most European countries participated in the International business. The European countries needed supply of raw materials for the factory processes, and Africa had abundance of those material required by the European countries (Frankema, 2015). The European countries knew that controlling of an African country as a colony will ensure the flow of raw materials from the African country to the colonizing European country, hence resulting for the scramble of Africa by European countries. The end of the civil war led to the rise in industrial workers, an increase in the number of factories and the migration of people. With the life problems caused by industrialization, Social Darwinism claimed survival for the fittest in the new social and political settings.

Social Darwinism accelerated the process of industrialization as many business leaders believed that survival was only for the fittest (Spread, 2015).  The notation of survival for the fittest encouraged the assumption of race and gender because individuals believed that they could do whatever they want with the new technology as long as they were not infringing the rights of others. Modernization has its roots in the social changes that occurred in Europe in the 19th century due to industrialization. Industrialization in the 19th century led to the growth of political democracy because the developed economy required equal sharing of resources. Social changes brought by modernization resulted in the formation of new social networks and political parties. The political parties that emerged as a result of industrialization had members focusing on certain trade networks. Industrialization in the 19th century led to the establishment of new fighting equipment such as the rifle. New military equipment made European countries to be able to control African territories using new troops. Also, new technology in the military contributed to the second world war among the European countries.

In summary, modernization transformed the world from an agrarian and rural society to a more urbanized and industrialized society. Modernization process has made the world to experience numerous advantages, and at the same time negative effects. The industrial revolution in Europe in the 19th century was a major cause of modernization. The industrial revolution brought major changes in social, economic, and political sectors. Development of trade in Europe due to the industrial revolution in Europe made European countries to scramble for Africa so that they can get supply of raw materials for their industries. Scramble for Africa brought numerous developments in Africa because Africans were assimilated to the modernized European culture. Advancement of military technology led to the eruption of wars in the world. Modernization led to the establishment of political parties in the world because of the urge of different countries to take control of certain territories. Political parties resulted in peace in different nations, which is key to economic development. Therefore, the modernization process has more positive changes than the adverse changes, and hence it is a positive process.