Society and Culture peers, I know it was one of the first things we covered in the HSC course, but what are the 'evolutionary' and 'transformative' changes again? I assume the first is related to the evolutionary social theory, but what about the second?
‘Evolutionary’ Change
Features:
o Change can be slow, gradual and linear.
o This feature of change is often associated with ‘progress’, modernisation/westernisation but can be also likened to ‘growth’ or ‘maturity’ in the micro world.
• Examples:
o ACCULTURATION:
The cultural diffusion of foods, music, religion, etc., between neighbouring nations or between majority and minority groups.
o COLONISATION:
Social Darwinism, which is the theory of natural selection in regards to social political and economic issues. In its simplest form, Social Darwinism follows the understanding of “The strong will survive”.
o SECULARISATION:
The activity of changing something (e.g. society) so it is no longer under the control or influence of religious values and ideals.
Transformative Change
• Features-
o Change can be quick and fast.
o Transformative change is often associated with conflict, war or social revolutions. There is often widespread social change associated with transformative change- not always positive.
• Examples:
o Revolutions, collapse of Berlin Wall/Soviet Union
o ISIS declaring caliphate.
o The Taliban’s takeover would have been a transformative change, the French Revolutions, the World Wars are all examples of quick paced change with features of conflict.
o All features of society in Australia and Europe were impacted by the Second World War, with strains on persons, families, education, relationships, economies, businesses and governments’ illustrative widespread social change at the micro meso and macro levels.
Societies were changed following this time also- with longer term impacts on prospective, government and economy, women and civil rights along with the development of the United Nations.
Hope this helps mate.
Good Luck!