kultura da modernizacia - Center for Social Sciences

TOPIC 3. TYPOLOGY OF CULTURES ON A BASIS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
AND NON-MODERN CULTURES.
In this chapter some models of cultures’ typology are considered from the viewpoint of their
attitude to modernity and nоn-modernity. These models are: a collectivistic or individualistic,
traditional or innovative types of culture, the cultures of space and time. Characteristics of such
cultures are examined as well.
Eventually, such grouping of cultures may lead us to East-West dichotomy. Does the existence
of such dichotomy correspond to the reality? is the classification of East/West societies as
nonmodern, collectivistic, traditional and modern, individualistic, innovational, reasonable? – these
will be a subject of discussion.
TOPIC 4. MODERNIZATION – ONE OF THE STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
WESTERN COMMUNITY.
We shall try to discuss the notion of modernization in details, according to which modernization
is a sum of sociocultural signs, which characterizes a specific phase of the Western community
(civilization) development. This complex should be considered in general, in the context of the
Western society development, in direct relations with the peculiarities of the cultural forms
preceeding this civilization.
Besides, the roots of modernization in Western civilization and distinctive features of the
Western society, due to which the appearance of modern society became possible, are discussed.
We also argue historical peripheries of establishing a modern society in the west, we’ll talk of
modernization as a continuation of the western tradition, − one of the phases in the Western
society’s development.
TOPIC 5. GLOBALIZATION AND MODERNIZATION.
It is necessary to argue the problem of arising of the concept of globalization and its
definitions. The globalization as a process must also be analyzed. It should be mentioned that the
process determined by economic factors have spread in all levels of life (generally there are three
levels: economics, politics and culture). Globalization of culture leads up to the contrast processes
in the different societies. For the number of societies the process of modernization is closely
connected with the spread of the global culture, modernization is possible only in the atmosphere
of globalization.
TOPIC 6. CONTEMPORARY MODERNIZED WORLD SOCIETY AND THE CHALLENGES OF
GLOBALIZATION.
In the process of globalization studies we collide with the paradox: before we start to explore
this phenomenon, it seems that we are aware of it; however during the study it’s essence becomes
vague.
Taking into the consideration a vast number of scientific papers, articles and theories about
globalization, we think it will be helpful to set a framework for future researches.
This framework was developed in 1999-2002, as a result of the research which had been
carried out by the Boston University and Institute of Study of Economic Culture (ISEC). The
research was conducted under the supervision of Pitter L. Berger (sociologist, director ISEC) and
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