Social change

Change is the law of nature. What is today shall

be different what it would be tomorrow. The
term social change is used to indicate the
changes that takes place in human interactions
and interrelations. Society is a web of
relationship, so social change means change in
the system of social relationship.
Social change is the change in human life pattern,
social structure. Social change includes change in
art, literature, philosophy, social process, social
interaction, social relationship etc.
 Definition of social change
Lundberg-”Social change refers to any
modification in established patterns of inter-
human relationship and standards of conduct.”
Ginsberg-” Social change is change in the social
structure.”
M.P Jenson-”Social change may be defined as
modification in ways of doing and thinking of
people.”
 Factors of social change
•Technology
•Demography
•Social organization
•Economy
•Politics
•Psychology
•Ideology
•Culture
 Characteristics of social change
•Social change is universal phenomena.
•Social change is continuous.
•Social change results from interaction.
•Social change may be planned or unplanned.
•Social change is environmental.
 Cultural change
Cultural change is the dynamic process whereby the living
cultures of the world are changing and adapting to
external or internal forces. This process is occurring within
Western culture as well as non-Western and indigenous
cultures and cultures of the world. Cultural change is a
term that refers to changes that occur in the beliefs, laws,
and actions of a culture. There have been three causes
identified as to why culture change occurs. These causes
are changes in natural environment, contact between
societies, and forces that work within the society. As times
change, with many new ideas, inventions, thoughts, and
beliefs, it is pretty much certain that many different
cultures will change to keep up with the times.
Cultural change means modification of a society
through innovation, invention, discovery, or contact with
other societies.
In general change in knowledge, belief, arts, moral, law,
habits, norms, values, technology etc. is cultural change.
All social change are cultural change but all cultural
change are not social change. Cultural change can be
social change only when affect human relation and social
organization. E.g. change in the painting style, writing
poetry drama etc are cultural change but they do not
affect the human relation and social organization.
 Definition of Cultural Change
Kingslay Davis-”cultural changes embraces all
changes occurring in any branch of culture
including art, science, technology, philosophy etc
as well as all changes in the forms and rules of
social organization.”
 Characteristics of cultural change
•It is dynamic process.
•It is community change.
•It is affected by diffusion, adaptation,
acculturation etc.
•It is general law.
•It is change in whole life style and behavior.
•It is broad change.
•Cultural change is universal process.
•Change in fooding and dressing.
•Changing in material and non material cultural.
 Factors of social and cultural change
•Migration
•Urbanization.
•Industrialization.
•Westernization.
•Modernization.
•Innovation.
 Conflict approach to social change
The conflict theory of social change holds that many
changes are caused by tension between competing
interest in society. Conflict theorist regard conflict as a
normal and continuous process. They see change as a
constant and inevitable feature of society. They believe
that the existing social conditions always contain the
seeds of different future. Change produces new interest ,
grouping and classes and conflict between these group
produces further change. Any particular change
represents the success and victorious group or class in
imposing their presence upon others.
The conflict theory of change derived from the
work of karl Marx. Marx emphasizes
competition between class as the major source
of social change. Any type of competition and
conflict between two groups can lead to change.
Marx and Engles wrote in the communist
manifesto (1818) –”All history is the history of
the class conflict”. History is the story of conflict
between the exploiting and the exploited
classes. There is always conflict between those
who own the means of production and those
who work for them.
In Marx vision the conflict would repeat itself
again and again until capitalism was
overthrown by the oppressed class. The
victorious worker would then create socialism,
a new system in which the means the means
of production would be owned by public.
Socialism would eventually be replaced by
communism in which all inequalities would be
abolished and people would finally achieve
the fulfillment of their human potential. Marx
insists the most dramatic social change occur
through violence.
 Application and experience in Nepalese context
Nepal has experienced struggled for many social
changes. The life style pattern, art, literature, belief
system are also changing day by day. Nepal has also
experienced and struggled for political changes which
leads to social changes. Nepali people protest against
the Rana regime for change in 2007 B.S. After that
ordinary people are free to do any work .During the
rana rule people are strictly prohibited for education
and they do not have freedom. Overthrown of Rana
rule there seems establishment of various industries.
Every of society get changed after that period.
The recent movement of 2062/63 B.S. leads to
change the new political system of Nepal. The
shah rulers are overthrown and general public
are kept in the head of the nation.