Modernization has brought about significant changes in various sectors of human life, including culture, politics, economics, and technology. Understanding the role of modernization in cultural evolution is crucial in comprehending the trends and patterns shaping societies worldwide. One of the most famous theories in this domain is Ronald Inglehart’s, and this article aims to discuss its critical aspects.
Inglehart’s theory posits that as societies modernize, the predominant values and beliefs that guide them undergo a transformation. The transformation results from the impact of factors such as economic growth, education, and technological advancement. In traditional societies, the essential values that shape culture are survival, religiosity, and collectivism. However, as societies modernize, they undergo a ‘value shift’ characterized by a decline in the importance of these traditional values and an upsurge in the emphasis placed on individualistic, self-expressive values.
Inglehart’s theory draws upon empirical data from the World Values Survey, which assesses people’s values and beliefs worldwide. The survey categorizes societies into traditional, modern, and post-modern, depending on the values predominant in each one. According to the survey data, traditional societies attach a high degree of importance to religion, family, community, and obedience to authority. In contrast, modern societies emphasize personal autonomy, self-expression, tolerance, and gender equality.
The theory further suggests that this value shift results from the rise of education and affluence, which give people more control over their lives. As societies become wealthier and better educated, people’s basic needs are often met, leaving them more room to focus on satisfying their higher-order needs. Consequently, the shift from traditional values to self-expressive values occurs as people seek to satisfy their needs for creativity, autonomy, and personal fulfillment.
In addition to the above, the theory also foresees that the shift towards self-expression will eventually result in a post-materialist society where basic needs have been met, and people primarily prioritize the environment, equality, and quality of life over traditional concerns. This shift is already evidenced in the developed world, where people’s concerns have shifted away from acquiring material possessions towards environmental protection, deepening democracy, and promoting social justice.
To illustrate Inglehart’s theory in action, we can use the example of the changes occurring worldwide in attitudes towards homosexuality. According to data from the World Values Survey, traditional societies hold deeply negative attitudes towards homosexuality, while modern societies are shifting towards more tolerant and accepting attitudes. The shift results from the transformation of values as societies modernize.
In conclusion, Ronald Inglehart’s theory provides insight into how modernization changes societies’ values and beliefs, resulting in cultural evolution. It indicates that as societies modernize, traditional values are replaced by self-expressive values, resulting in a value shift towards individualism, creativity, autonomy, and personal fulfillment. The theory also posits that this shift will eventually result in a post-materialist society that prioritizes environmental protection, equality, and quality of life over traditional concerns.
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