Science, Technology and Social Change | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction - Science, Technology, and Social Change

Ogburn, a noted sociologist, emphasized the significant role of technology in driving social change. He argued that technology transforms society by altering our environment, particularly the material environment, to which we then adapt. This process of adaptation is crucial in understanding how technology impacts various institutions and customs.

Technological Variations and Institutional Changes

• Ogburn noted that changes in technology often lead to variations in social institutions or customs.
• For instance, the introduction of machine technology, spurred by the discovery of new energy sources, has been so transformative that it is frequently described as a "revolution."

Invention, Discovery, and Mechanization

• Our current era is marked by significant advancements in invention and discovery, often referred to as the "age of power" or the "scientific age."
• Some scholars argue that mechanization, rather than capitalism, is the most novel and pervasive aspect of our time, with modern capitalism being a by-product of mechanization.
• Mechanization has not only altered the economic structure of society but has also contributed to the gradual decline of traditional social organizations and ideologies.

Impact on Social Structures

• Technological advancements have profoundly impacted social structures, eroding old beliefs and traditions.
• For example, industrialization disrupted the domestic system of production, bringing women into the workforce and changing their roles and earnings.
• The invention of gunpowder transformed warfare techniques, demonstrating how technology can reshape vital aspects of society.

Standardization and Production Efficiency

• Standardization, a direct outcome of modern technology, has facilitated not only the cheap production of goods but also their efficient mass distribution.
• Increased productive efficiency in industry has allowed a substantial portion of the population to shift into service roles, such as engineers, bookkeepers, and salespeople, who, while not directly involved in production, play crucial roles in the economic system.

Legal and Bureaucratic Changes

• Changes in production and trade have necessitated new forms of political regulation, expanding the functions of law and increasing the number of lawmakers, bureaucrats, and lawyers.
• The application of science to various fields, including industry, agriculture, and health, has given rise to numerous new service activities.

Technological Innovations and Social Change

• Technological inventions continue to bring about profound changes in society, with atomic energy being a prime example.
• As a tool of war, atomic energy caused immense destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but as a potential agent of peace, it holds the promise of unprecedented abundance and prosperity.
• Technological advancements such as the automobile have expanded social relationships and altered community dynamics.

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Transformations in Lifestyle and Ideology

• Technological changes have led to a rise in living standards, shifts in class structures, and the emergence of new social movements like communism and socialism.
• The pragmatic and mechanistic philosophies that have emerged reflect a societal shift towards quantity and measurement over quality and appreciation.
• In agriculture, advancements in techniques and tools have boosted production and improved the standard of living in rural areas, while also leading to a decrease in the need for agricultural labor, prompting many to migrate to cities for employment.

Communication Technologies and Social Life

• Changes in communication technologies have also significantly impacted social life.
• Modern communication devices not only alter social relationships but also have profound social implications due to their uses.
• The primary function of all communication devices is to conquer time and space, and the techniques of communication shape the scope and character of social organizations.

Alphabetical Writing and Political Organization

• Alphabetical writing, being superior to ideographic writing, has facilitated the rise of secondary forms of political organization.
• Where societies rely solely on primary communication techniques, enduring and complex organizations struggle to exist.

Impact of Printing Press and Other Communication Devices

• The invention of the printing press revolutionized the reproduction of written material, stimulating the rise of science and enabling the recording and dissemination of scientific findings.
• The printed word has become a storehouse of knowledge, facilitating the rapid diffusion of inventions and discoveries within and between societies.
• Technological advancements in communication devices like radio, telegraph, and telephone have influenced various aspects of life, including business, recreation, and public opinion.

Transportation and Social Relationships

• Transportation is a critical factor in conquering space and determining social relationships.
• Advancements in transportation methods and means have made it easier for people to move and meet others, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.
• Modern means of transportation have encouraged intercontinental trade and cultural intermixing, fostering sympathy and cooperation among diverse populations.

Urbanization and Mobility

• The development of new modes of transportation has significantly impacted urbanization, leading to greater population mobility and the growth of cities.
• Transportation innovations have reduced cultural isolation and promoted cultural uniformity.
• While the city is a product of various technological advancements in manufacturing, communication, and transportation, it has also given rise to new challenges such as crime, family disintegration, and the need for greater state control.

Derivative Influences of Inventions

• Ogburn highlighted that the influence of an invention on an institution or custom does not cease after the initial impact but continues to propagate over time.
• For example, the cotton gin in the United States not only increased cotton production but also led to a rise in slavery, which in turn contributed to the Civil War.

Converging Inventions and Urban Development

• When multiple inventions converge in the same space, their collective influence becomes significant.
• Manufacturing, transport, and communication inventions such as factory machines, electric railways, telephones, and radios have all contributed to the development of cities.

Technological Problems and Urban Communities

• The growth of urban communities, a direct effect of manufacturing, communication, and transportation inventions, posed new technological challenges, such as providing safe and efficient artificial lighting.
• The development of modern lighting technology led to the creation of kerosene, a by-product of which was gasoline, sparking further technological advancements.

Impact of Technology on Various Aspects - Thorsten Veblen

Impact on Social Life:

• Individuality: Technology has promoted individualism, leading people to focus more on personal needs and desires.
• Problems of Housing: Rapid urbanization and industrialization have caused housing shortages and poor living conditions.
• Disparity of Sex Ratio: Technological changes may lead to gender imbalances in certain regions, often due to migration or employment shifts.
• Crime, Corruption, and Competition: Increased technological advancement can lead to more competition, resulting in crime and corruption in various sectors.
• Decline of Community Life: With technological development, traditional close-knit communities have weakened, reducing social cohesion.
• Psychic Conflict and Disease: The fast pace of modern life, driven by technology, has contributed to increased stress, mental health issues, and societal conflicts.

Impact on Family Life:

• Disorganization of Joint Family: The traditional joint family structure is breaking down due to industrialization and migration.
• Employment of Women: More women are entering the workforce, changing traditional family roles and dynamics.
• Decrease in the Function of the Family: Families are no longer the central units of social, economic, and emotional support due to external influences like education and employment.
• Love, Inter-Caste, Late Marriage, and Divorce: Social changes have led to an increase in love marriages, inter-caste unions, delayed marriages, and a rising divorce rate.

Impact on Economic Life:

• Development of Capitalism: Technology has fueled the rise of capitalism, encouraging profit-driven economies.
• Large Scale Production and Development of Trade: Technological advancements have enabled mass production and expanded global trade.
• Division of Labour and Specialization: The introduction of machinery has led to the division of labor and greater specialization in jobs.
• Economic Depression and Employment: Technological advancements can cause employment instability and economic depressions.
• Higher Standard of Living: Increased production has led to improvements in the standard of living for many.
• Industrial Dispute, Disease, and Accident: Technological progress in industries has also led to labor disputes, workplace diseases, and accidents.

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Impact on Religion:

• Secularization: Technological and scientific developments have led to a decline in religious influence and increased secularization in societies.

Impact on Rural Society:

• Migration: Technological advancements have driven migration from rural to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities.
• Agricultural Development: Technology has significantly improved agricultural practices, increasing efficiency and production.
• Mechanization of Agriculture: The use of machines in farming has transformed agricultural methods, reducing the need for manual labor.
• New Class Formation: The changes in agricultural and rural life have led to the creation of new social classes within rural societies.