Modernization and Westernization in India

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Modernization and Westernization are two distinct concepts that have impacted India in different ways.

Modernization refers to the process of economic, social, and cultural change that has occurred in India since independence. This includes the adoption of modern technology, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, as well as changes in social norms and values.

On the other hand, Westernization refers to the adoption of Western culture and values, often at the expense of traditional Indian culture. This includes the adoption of Western fashion, food, language, and entertainment, as well as changes in religious beliefs and practices.

While modernization has had many positive effects in India, such as improving healthcare and reducing poverty, Westernization has been a source of controversy. Some argue that it has led to the erosion of traditional Indian culture and values, while others see it as a natural and necessary part of India’s development.

Ultimately, the impact of modernization and Westernization in India will depend on how they are managed and balanced with respect for traditional values and culture. It is important for India to find its own path to modernity and development, while also preserving and celebrating its unique cultural heritage.

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Introduction

In any society, development is associated with social changes. Moreover, no single society can remain stagnant without interacting with the outside world. As such, social changes are unavoidable and they happen from time to time.

It is worth noting that sociological changes vary from on society to another. As such, values, institutions, customs among other aspects of societal change are not equal or similar among societies (Ansari, 2014). Therefore, there are societies that are considered to be ahead of others in as far as growth is concerned. Cultural hegemony forces societies that are deemed to be backward to emulate the societies that are ahead as the latter try to improve.

The Western World is considered to be ahead of other regions since they have higher volumes, paces and quality of societal growth. Other regions, including Second and Third World, tend to emulate the Western World in the efforts to modernizing their societies (Ansari, 2014). On the other hand, some countries argue that they can develop and get better without emulating the West. There is, therefore, the need to evaluate whether modernization requires westernization (Farhat-Holzman, 2012; Chen, Chittoor, & Vissa, 2014; Lal, 2000).

In the course of establishing whether westernization is a prerequisite for modernization, it is prudent to define the two terms.

Ansari (2014) defined modernization as a “kind of social change in where a traditional society inclines to develop new patterns of conduct in response to new challenges of the new age” p. 72. The changes, which involve the external nature of societal institutions and internal attitudes and beliefs, move a society from a pre-modern to a modern state (Ansari, 2014). Modernization has continued to be a worldwide phenomenon since the culmination of the Cold War (Sakwa, 2012; McGrath & Martin, 2012).

Westernization, on the other hand, pertains bringing changes, which have key elements borrowed from the Western World, into a society. The changes heavily influence the culture of the recipient society in various aspects including, technology, institutions, ideology, and values among other societal aspects (Ansari, 2014).

This research paper seeks to evaluate whether societies can be modernized without being westernized and whether modernization requires westernization. India has been used as an example. Similar to other emerging economies, India is going through drastic changes, which can be associated with westernization (Harrell, Ussery, Ranjit, & Sharma, 2015; Ansari, 2014; Khanna, 2013).

Background information and Conceptualise Analysis

Modernization in India

The course of modernization in India is evident through two major levels, including the social structure and traditions (Ansari, 2014). It is worth noting that both internal and external forces propel societal changes in the two levels. The internal forces include all endogenous social evolutional elements while the external forces include contacts with external ideologies (Ansari, 2014).

The societal changes in India can be approached from a number of perspectives including Sanskritization, westernization, Little/Great Traditions, and the dialectical concept (Ansari, 2014; Nath, 2012).

Sanskritization is an endogenous force that strives to bring changes in the Indian society through upward mobility within the caste system (Ansari, 2014; Nath, 2012). The mobility is characterized by members of the low caste changing their social behavior and emulate the behaviors of members of the higher caste. In addition, power usurpation by members of the low caste can bring about social changes (Ansari, 2014; Nath, 2012).

Westernization in India is associated with changes in the society that arise from contact with the Western World, especially the 150-year British rule. It is apparent that the British culture, ideologies, technology, and institutions highly influenced the Indian society during the colonial period. Furthermore, other western cultures have continued to influence the modernization of India in the post-colonial era (Ansari, 2014).

. For instance, West German in the 1950s initiated modernization and development programs in Third World countries, including India (Unger, 2010). A case in point, West Germany introduced the Mill Rourkela (Unger, 2010) program, which embodied industrialization. The proponents for industrialization had the view that India would be modernized more effectively through industrialization relative to other approaches (Unger, 2010).

The Mandi project, which favored agrarian revolution, was also initiated. The technique was considered anti-westernization and it perpetuated gradual economic development as opposed to radical changes. Other western cultures that influence westernization in India include the USA.

Little and great traditions is a concept that attempts to explain changes in the Indian society. The concept’s key assumption is that societal changes occur through both orthogenetic and heterogenetic forces (Ansari, 2014). Moreover, there exist two groups of traditions including the peasants and the elites. There are constant integration and interaction between the two types of traditions. The interactions result in the societies changing from orthogenetic to heterogenetic. Eventually, contact with other cultures results in globalization and universalization of the Indian culture (Ansari, 2014).

The dialectical concept is derived from the interaction between the Indian culture and the West and the consequent socio-economic developments (Ansari, 2014). The contact of the Indian culture with the West resulted in new social dynamics, especially the creation of a middle class, which consequently generates what Ansari (2014) termed as the dialectical process of conflict and synthesis. Changes in the Indian society, therefore, are influenced by interplays and conflicts of contradicting systems and class interest (Ansari, 2014). The process was initiated by the Islamic culture influence and it is still a continuous phenomenon.

The influence of the British society resulted in the creation of a middle class, which is neither absolutely traditional nor modern. The socioeconomic factors and changes that resulted from the interaction of the Indian society and the British highly influenced continuity of traditional institutions in India. The changes influenced some of the social settings such as the caste system since some people attained economic autonomy (Ansari, 2014). However, the changes may not be so evident today since the eradication of caste system has not been realized even with economic revolution. The eradication of caste system has not been realised because there is no harmony in institutional changes pertinent to the modernization assimilation (Ansari, 2014).

Literature Review

Scholars have questioned the influence of westernization on modernization. Further, research has been carried to establish whether modernization can occur without westernization.

Chen, Chittoor, and Vissa (2014) investigated whether the changes in Asian countries have been influenced by westernization. As such, they sought to establish whether the transitions evident in Asia, especially in India, replicate the western trends. The study involved investigating traditional institutes of caste and regional language with the modern institutions like universities. It was evident that two generations of CEOs transferred information differently. While the pre-reform CEOs adopted language or caste system to transfer material, post-economic-reform generation adopted school ties.

It was evident, therefore, that modernization in India and other Asian countries is evident. Nevertheless, the process of modernization face considerable challenge when imitation of the western culture is not done (Chen, Chittoor, & Vissa, 2014).

Farhat-Holzman (2012) observed that a majority of countries in Asia have adopted the modern culture in many aspects. For instance, they have modern vehicles, buildings, electronics, air transport systems and even dress codes. Nevertheless, the modernity aspect does not deter them from listening to Islamic sermons through their mobile devices. He noted that radicalization and preaching of Jihadi ideologies are done through modern equipment. As such, modernity is evident where westernization is not adopted.

He argued that although modernization could be viewed as a civilization that was initiated and propagated by westernization, modern culture could be adopted without westernizing the values of a society.

Concerning the Scientific Revolution, Farhat-Holzman (2012) indicated that the Roman law, the Latin language, and Christianity had considerable significance and as such, modernity could be linked to some western aspects but not entirely. Moreover, the western leadership styles (such as democratic representation), the significance of the rule of law, legislations that prevent arbitrary leadership could be a source of power rivalry unlike what he termed as great empires of Asia.

Nevertheless, Farhat-Holzman (2012) noted that the Western leaders could hardly recognize that modernization could exist without westernization and that countries and culture can modernize without emulating the western culture. As such, western leaders pressurize societies and countries that aspire for modernity to embrace westernization. However, Farhat-Holzman (2012) argued embracing some elements of westernization such as the democratization of leadership have been disastrous.

Decisively, Farhat-Holzman (2012) asserted that countries and societies that aspire for modernization could avoid westernization, including the western leadership style of representation democracy. As such, modernization does not require westernization.

Lal (2000) was significantly concerned with economic performance, economic freedom, and civil liberty in respect to modernizing a society or a country. He argued that these aspects highly influence the underwriting the sanctity of private property. Further, the rule of law is key in modernization and realizing economic growth and development.

Nevertheless, Lal (2000) indicated that economic growth could not be solely attributed to democratization. However, other leadership styles such as oligarchy, and autocracy could as well foster economic development and maintain rule of law. For instance, hereditary monarchy led to the Industrial Revolution in Hong Kong.

On whether modernization requires westernization, Lal (2000) recognized the views of those that answer affirmatively. For instance, he noted that Hayek (in his work) thought that modernization required westernization and that all countries and societies should adopt the western culture, democracy and rule of law. Hayek held the view that market economy needs cultural underpinning in what he termed as “the form of a set of modern values based on individualism”…p. 6.

Further, Lal (2000) recognized Hayek’s argument that cultural evolution resulted in the transformation and the consequent modernization of the Stone Age culture. The West had significant contributions in the process of transforming the Stone Age culture to modernity and, therefore, westernization is a key factor in modernization.

However, Lal (2000) argued that Hayek had trivialized and simplified matters and key features of modernization and cultural evolution. He held the view that some aspects such as individualism were vital in modernizing the West but they were not inevitable or essential. As such, adopting western values can be avoided as they are not essential in attaining modernity. On the need to embrace democracy, Lal (2000) argued that some Asian ideologies such as Confucianism uphold human rights and foster economic development (Lal, 2000).

On Christianity, which played crucial role in the propagation of material beliefs and the consequent institutional revolution, Lal (2000) observed that it is no longer necessary for countries to adopt the cosmological beliefs endorsed by Gregory the

Great’s papal revolution for them to modernize.

Yung (2012) acknowledged that good governance had a significance contribution in the modernization of the West. As such, the western leadership style led to the necessary institutional changes that resulted in socioeconomic revolution.

According to Yung (2012), democracy is regarded as a constitutive element of good governance, more so by the West and the countries that considered westernization as a prerequisite for modernization and economic development. Nevertheless, alternatives to democratization, such as the adoption of Asian values, have been suggested.

The Yung’s argument propagates the view that both westernization and non-westernization may not be adopted in the future in isolation. The fact that human beings from all parts of the world have more similarities than differences may rule out the possibilities of the East moving in completely different paths from the west. Nevertheless, following the exact footsteps and embracing westernization by Asian may not be realized in modernization (Yung, 2012). As such, westernization and democratization can be avoided by the Asian countries and yet realize modernization.

Khanna (2013) wrote an article trying to answer the question whether India can be modernized without being westernized. The article was a reaction to a speech made by a prime minister aspirant Narendra Modi who asserted that India requires modernization and not westernization. Khanna recognized that the debate on whether modernization requires westernization resulted in ideological division among philosophers and economists. While some economists/philosophers argue that societies must be westernized for them to be modernized, others are of the view that modernization can be attained through other means other than westernization.

For instance, Khanna (2013) used the views of Hayek, discussed earlier in this paper, and the argument of Yoshihiro Francis Fukuyama. Fukuyama’s argument is of the view that modernization, westernization, and democratization are interlinked and, therefore, modernization can only be attained by imitating the West (Khanna, 2013).

Khanna (2013) also considered the views of Samuel Huntington who argued that all cultures go through almost similar experiences during modernization. However, each society can retain unique characteristics even after modernization.

China and Japan are typical examples of economies that have modernized through rapid industrialization (Khanna, 2013). Although the two economies have been greatly influenced by some aspects of the western culture, including adopting democratization in Japan, none of the two countries can be considered westernized. Western economic development models have been preferred but the cultural hegemony avoided.

It is evident that the Western countries make the top 20 of the most progressed societies (Eckersley, 2016). Nevertheless, it is argued that indicators used in measuring development do not portray the negative aspects of western oriented modernization. As such, westernization and democratization are portrayed as the best route to modernization without regarding the optimal quality of life. Westernized modernization benefits are overemphasized while the costs are underestimated (Eckersley, 2016).

Discussion

Modernization has been associated with westernization. Philosophers and economist have argued that the two concepts go hand in hand. Moreover, societies that aspire to be modernized have westernized in the process. India, for instance, has gradually been westernized as it attempts to be modernized.

Westernization in India

The westernization process has great influence on the culture of the recipient societies. India, for example, is affected (and is likely to be more affected in the future) by westernization in many ways, including leadership styles, technology, law, politics, language, ideology, and values, among other social aspects (Nath, 2012).

Some of the most outstanding impacts of westernization are democracy, freedom of speech (including media freedom), and the fight for human rights. As such, it is expected that any country/society that adopts westernization should be democratic and have media freedom. Nevertheless, the two concepts take some time before they are completely adopted by the recipient society. One of the reasons for the delay in adoption of democracy and freedom of speech include resistance from within the society.

Westernization in India was initiated when Britain colonized the country for more than a century. As such, India is more westernized relative to other countries in the Middle East. India is a democratic country, which like many emerging economies is undergoing drastic changes (Chen, Chittoor, & Vissa, 2014; Harrell, Ussery, Ranjit, & Sharma, 2015).

Nevertheless, a key concept of liberty (freedom of speech) is under attack despite being guaranteed in the constitution. Censorship, harassment/imprisonment/ and prosecution of journalists are increasingly becoming evident in India (Mancing, 2014; Mehtafeb, 2013).

The impediment of freedom of speech in India can be attributed to the lack of support from the government and the political class. In some instance, the government has been accused of abetting media suppression and adopting draconian laws. Further, the vagueness in the wording of the laws governing hate speech creates loopholes, which politicians and the government take advantage of in impeding freedom of speech (Mukherjee, 2016).

Moreover, numerous interested groups have significant influence and control on the media. For instance, corporate bodies curtail freedom of speech through dictating what is to be in the media (Mancing, 2014).

Is the West Modernized by Nation State, Industrialization?

Numerous factors contribute to the transformation of a society. As such, the modernization process is a product of a number of factors. Some of the factors that resulted in the modernization of the West include industrialization and the industrial revolution, the scientific revolution, democratization, urbanization, Christianity, and other aspects of the westernized culture (Lal, 2000; McGrath & Martin, 2012).

Untrue media reporting on the Middle East

Prejudice and the lack of understanding of the cultures in the Middle East have led to the western media portraying a negative and untrue picture of the region (Smith, 2013). The media, in numerous ways, constantly make negative sentiments and publications against the Middle East, especially on Islam.

First, the media overemphasize and overestimate the intolerance and incompatibility of the culture/religion of the Middle East to westernization and western values (Smith, 2013). This was evident in America when president Obama ran for office. Some westerners were skeptical about Obamas’ capability to lead a democratic country since he was purported to have Islamic and the Middle East affiliation (Smith, 2013).

Second, there is the untrue portrayal of religion as the face of terrorism, especially after the 9/11 attack. Islam has been inaccurately portrayed as a religion for people who are anti-western and, therefore, they would easily attack the West and their allies. Further, the dichotomization of Muslims depending on their regions (where moderate or good Muslims live in the West while the radical ones live in the East) is evident (Smith, 2013). This has resulted in the Westerners categorizing Muslims as good and bad Muslims. However, it is worth noting that Islam is a religion of peace (Smith, 2013). Therefore, the culture in the Middle East is tolerable and can be compatible with western values.

Third, the media portrays the Middle East region as a region where free speech is frustrated. For instance, in the Danish cartoon released in 2006 (Smith, 2013), Muslims characters demonstrated violence and fought free speech. Although the media in the Middle East is limited and free speech hindered, the western media tend to overestimate the extend (Smith, 2013).

Conclusion

Since the end of the cold war, the modernization move has been evident in many countries all over the world. It is apparent that the West has made significant steps in the modernization. As such, modernization is highly associated with westernization. The association has made many philosophers and scholars investigate whether westernization is required in the modernization process.

To investigate whether westernization is a requirement for modernization, this research paper has used India as an example. The westernization and modernization of India has been discussed. It is apparent that the modernization of India has been highly influenced by westernization, especially from Britain.

It is worth noting that although India is relatively westernized (more so by democratization), some aspects such as freedom of speech, which is a key aspect of westernization, is yet to be fully realized.

From the literature reviewed in this paper, it is evident that there are various views on whether modernization requires westernization. The proponents of westernization argue that the West modernized with effectiveness after societal changes such as embracing democracy and, therefore, countries that desire to modernize should follow the Westernization way. On the other hand, there are those that argue that westernization can be avoided in the process of modernizing a society.

It is apparent that some countries have modernized without being westernized. The communities in the Far East have relatively retained key aspects of their culture and governorship as they modernize.

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