Factors Responsible For Social Changes in India

CASIRJ Volume 5 Issue 8 [Year - 2014] ISSN 2319 – 9202

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science http://www.casirj.com Page 4

Factors Responsible For Social Changes in India

Mumtaj, llm, kurukshetra university, kurukshetra

Sushila, llm, kurukshetra university, kurukshetra

Introduction:

We are already familiar with the concept of social changes and the theories associated

with it. The abstract idea of “social change” evinces dimension of some of the characteristic of a

group of people. If any action which affects a group of people who shared values or

characteristics can also be said as “social change”. Change takes place in all human societies and

at all times. Sometimes, it is sudden as when a revolution occurs to replace the old order. At

other times, it is gradual and hardly perceptible. If change does not occur on its own, it may be

induced by certain factors. Therefore, it is important for us to study these factors which either

give impetus to or resist change. In this term paper we are going to study about the factors of

change.

In many instances, the state of the art of social change endeavors is not methodologically

sophisticated enough to distinguish clearly among casual, necessary, sufficient, and contributory

conditions to produce desired effects in society.

We listen a maxim in his childhood in the language of Sanskrit

“Sanotsahdhanamparamsukham”means the wealth of satisfaction is the sole grace and

pleasures. But where there is satisfaction there is no more chance for development and

development necessary for the necessity of the human. Man dies but never dies his desires. So

the necessity or demand of the society is the primary basis for social changes.

Objectives:

After study this term paper, we will be able to:

Explain the mechanism of social changes;

Identify the underlying causes of social change; and

Appreciate the roles of various factors which bring about change in society.



Research Methodology:

This research work would rely on the collection of materials from the primary sources and

secondary sources will be scanned and utilized at the relevant places. Wherever necessary the

cases decided by the courts will also are parts of our material.

Factors of social changes:

Change is the rule of universe. We know that society is dynamic. It never is static. Necessity

is the primary basis of its. Social change is the complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Since

change is one sphere affects other sphere of social life, it is desirable to take an integrated view

of the processes of social change. This will facilitate a clear understanding of the role of various

factors which have a collective impact on this process. We can then appreciate and understand

the various changes taking place and be able to identify the correlation and causative effects of

the various factors underlying these changes. Social changes occur due to various factors. Some

of these factors are:

(a) Endogenous (i. e. internal to the society concerned); and

(b) Exogenous.

Internal factors could refer to the infrastructural facilities, their distribution among people

and people‟s access to them. Social change occurs due to interaction and conflict caused by

differential values of the old and the young, the literate and the illiterate, the urban and the rural

folk.

External factors of change emphasis on the impact of the such forces in the society which are

beyond human control like natural disaster and unexpected developments in technology. Now we

take up some factors that affect social change. The factors that we will be studying in this term

paper are-

(a) Revolution;

(b) Demographic;

(c) Technology;

(d) Culture;

(e) Economic;

(f) Education;and

(g) Political.



Revolution as a means of social changes:

We know that we fight for our freedom till 1947 by various means which includes revolution.

Role of revolution play a vital role to change the system. Revolution divided in three categories1:

(a) Silent;

(b) Violent;

(c) Non-violent.

Mahatma Gandhi basically started his movement through non violent and somewhere it is silent

and partly silent and partly non-

Violent1. But if we see S.C. Bose, he started partly violent and partly non-violent, when congress

party divided into Garam Dal and Naram Dal, basically it is the way towards which recognized

his status2.

When then distinguishes „civil disobedience‟ from other acts of violation of positive law

on the one hand and from revolution on the other? The most comprehensive definition of the

characteristics of civil disobedience is that given by an eminent theologian3 (Adoms, 1970 p.

294)……

“Civil disobedience is (1) a non-violent, (2) public violation, (3) of a specific laws or set of laws,

or of a policy of government having the effect of law (4) which express the sense of justice in a

civil society of cooperation among equals and (5) which is generally undertaken in the name of a

presumed higher authority than the law in question (6) as a last resort (7) for the purpose of

changing the law and (8) with the intention of accepting the penalty which the prevailing law

imposes.”

Anna Hazare movements through corruption to pass the Act of Janlokpal Is also non-

violent types because every one inspired from Mahatma Gandhi and thus it is also an example of

a means of social changes.

Demographic Factors of Social Changes:

By demographic factors, we mean the factors that determine the numbers, composition,

selection and the hereditary quality of successive generations.

1SekherBandyopadhyay, From Plassey to Partition, 2008, Orient Blackswan Pvt. Ltd.

2RomilaThapar, Early India, 2002 Chapman Offset Printers, New Delhi

3Bipin Chandra, India‟s Struggle For Independence, 1989 Penguin Books



Thus census plays important role for social changes by which we frame policy for control

the population, increase literacy rate and reduce illiteracy, reduce gender gap and even though

the other facets of policy to improve the public health by various means and more……

Changes in population by both in numbers and composition have a far-reaching effect on

society4.

When population increases or decreases, size and composition of a population change.

Change in the size of a population may bring about a change in the economic life of the people,

which may further bring about a change in various other aspects of human life like social,

cultural and political5.

The swift and steady decline of both the birth rate and death rate has led to tremendous social

transformation. With improved sanitary conditions and medical facilities, India has experienced

a dramatic increase in the sphere of population6. This phenomenal increase in population has, in

turn, given rise to a variety of social problems like unemployment, child labor, growth of slums,

increased crime rate and social tensions7.

Where the growth of population threatens the standards of living, it inspires a change in attitude.

People are more open and accept the use of contraceptives, one child family norm and in some

cases couples decides to adopt a child.

There is also a close relationship between the growth of population and the level of physical

health and vitality of the people. On the increase in the number of mouths of feed, there is

chronic malnutrition and other related disease. These further lead to physical lethargy,

incompetence, apathy and lack of enterprise. All these affect the quality of the population and the

social structure and social institutions.

In the Indian context, we notice that an increase in population has resulted in an increase in

unemployment, in poverty, in urbanization, in the number of slums, and an increase in the

burden on infrastructural facilities. These, in turn, have resulted in the absence of adequate

facilities, rise in nuclear families and, overtime, have altered social relationship in a perceptible

manner.Even as the world welcome the seventh billion member of the global population this

week, medical researchers warned that rapid growth economies such as India still had a high

proportion of morbidity, with more than 290 million Indians suffering from Neglected Tropical

Diseases (NTDs)8.

4 Legal News and Views, July 2010, Vol. 24: No. 7

5Yojana, July 2011 pp.5-9

6Id.

7Yojana, July 2011 pp. 34-37

8 The Hindu, Wednesday, November 02, 2011, p. 20



Technology As A Factor Of Social Change:

Technological progress has often triggered a long lasting change in society. Development

and change in human societies have been linked with development and change in technology.

Sociologists say “Technology changes society by changing our environment to which we,

in turn, adapt. This change is usually in the material environment and the adjustments we make

to these changes often modify customs and social institutions.”

In earlier times, technology was simple and society‟s simple too. Traditional society was

characterized by manual labor and family was the unit of production. Production was based on

human and animal power and was for domestic consumption9. There was neither a governing

profit motive in economic transactions nor whatever was produced brought into market.

After the middle of the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution and industrialization took the

form of a definite system. From the view point of technology, the production organization

developed some specific features10

. In this system, instead of being influenced and controlled by

the environment, man tried to control it. Economy started to be based on differentiation, complex

division of labour, huge production and a mechanized system of production. Large companies

and corporations came to being, some of which with the passage if time have acquired a

multinational character.

Industrial societies are very complex and distinctly different from the earlier simple societies. In

such societies, there is11

:

Importance of capital instead of labour as against the norm in simple societies;

Rise of factories as unit of production instead of family;

Use of steam, electricity and atomic power instead of energy produced by human

and animal power;

Use of machines in place of human and animal labour;

Production is for exchange in the market and for profits and not just for domestic

consumption;

Development of world market instead of local market; and

Improved means of transport and communication and a currency based economy.

Modern technology and man made conditions have changed not only the system and quality

of production but also production relationships. Modern industrial relationships have given

9Yojana, September 2011, pp. 13-16

10Id.

11Yojana, September, 2011p. 26



birth to companies, corporations, and share market, banks and the union of industrial

workers12

.

Cultural Factors of Social Change:

By cultural factors we refer mainly to ideas, knowledge, values, beliefs, inventions and

exchange. Culture provides the base for inventions and discoveries13

.

Social systems are directly or indirectly the creation of cultural values. New social values and

belief can also produce social changes. Conflict between the old and new values leads to the

creation of complexity new value system. For example14

, during the Moguls rule in India, the

Sufis started writing in Hindi. This led

the development of Hindi literature. Urdu also as a hybrid of Hindi and Persian. Arabic world

also crept into this language. Akbar, one of the most powerful Mogul emperors propagated

the concept of a State religion called Din-i-illahi a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam. Besides

this, Hindu and Muslim king both recognized literary and artistic abilities in individual from

both the communities.

We must have considered the role of cultural factors in bringing about the social change. On

the one hand, they consider the inter-relationship between religions and social structure as

one aspect of culture; on the other hand, they analyze the moral code of various religions and

their impact on the character of its economic system.

One of the conclusions is that the moral code of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam did not

create the necessary wisdom and understanding that was required for the development of

capitalism. Cultures associated with these religions were more concerned with the other

worldly pursuits. Therefore they did not lay emphasis on economic developments and

material achievements.

It is, however, interesting to note that while cultural diffusion quickly changed the material

life of people, non-material aspects like religion, ideology, and beliefs are slow to change.

This phenomenon is known as „cultural lag’. When non-material culture does not adjust

itself readily to the material changes, it results in a lag between the two. The problem of

adjustment in modern societies can be explained concept by this where the material aspects

of life change at a much quicker pace than the non-material aspects of culture. All societies

need to manage this change. Societies where the non-material aspects of culture guide

12

Kurukshetra, July 2011, Vol. 59, No. 9, pp. 44-46 13

Id. 14

NFPA, MOEF, Government of India, 1999



material changes towards peace and social harmony are likely to see more progress than

others15

.

Economic Factors of Social Change:

Economic factors influence the quantity and direction of social change. We are going to

observe the effect of these factors by first seeking a theoretical under point for our analysis

and by study the available evidence. In particular –

1. The Marsian view:

Karl Marx is the chief architect of the economic theory of social change. He believes that

social change is basically the result of economic factors. The mode of production

determines the social, cultural, religious and the political aspect of society.

Marx traced the developments of the society from agricultural to feudalism to

capitalism and finally, to socialism. Capitalism emerged because of the contradictions in

feudalism16. Socialism would emerges from capitalism as a result of the contradictions in

capitalism. There would be a class struggle between the two classes whose interest,

clash because of their diverse, conflicting aims- the bourgeois (the owners of the means

of production) and the proletariat (the workers who work for a wage under the

bourgeois).

2. Impact of Industrialization:

These are as under:

Production moved out of households to factories;

Capital acquired a greater role in the production process;

The occupational structure of the workforce changed from largely agrarian to an

increasingly larger industrial workforce;

People from all strata of society took to industrial activity;

Women moved out of homes in large numbers and entered the workforce

Barriers of religion, belief etc., crumbled as the demand for labour increased;

Urbanization took place at an accelerated pace;

It triggered changes in other sphere like mass transport and communication too,

thus radically altering the existing social change.

3. Green Revolution:

We are now examine the impact of the ‘green revolution’ on social relationships and

analyze law the social change it brought about.

15

Ehrlich‟s Principal work (1912) Has been translated and published in English (1936) 16

The Hindu, 12-10-2011, p. 7



Green revolution started in India in the late 1960s in selected regions of the country.

The focus at this stage was on wheat and the strategy adopted was to combine the use

of capital and technology to boost form yields. Thus credit, machines, high yields seeds,

irrigation and fertilizers became crucial inputs, almost as critical as the land itself. The

results were stunning as farm yields surpassed expectations and the country soon

moved from a net importer of food grains to one which maintained a buffer stock.

While the output was significantly higher than earlier, the outcome was not necessarily

a positive one for all states and for all sections of society at large.

Additionally, another significant was a widening of inequality across states in general

and among the ‘landed’ and the ‘landless’ in particular. Finally, the middle castes who

had gained access to land in the wake of land reforms became the biggest beneficiaries

of these changes and slowly emerged as a dominant force in Indian politics.

Education as a Factor of Social Change:

Education plays an important role in social change. While, on the one hand, it is

responsible for the handing down traditions, culture, knowledge and skills from one

generation to another, on the other it acts as an agent of social change. New ideas and

values are initiated by it and become the goals for the young generation to pursue and

achieve.

Society thus achieves two goals through education:

(a) To socialize, shape and develop the individual according to the social needs; and

(b) To fulfill society’s needed concerning human resources such as training fir the

specialized skills in industry and technology of the modern economy.

Formal and Informal Education:

Before we explain the role of education as a factor of social change, it is important to

understand the two main types of education system- formal and informal.

Education which is important in a well-defined institutional setting is formal and that

which an individual acquires in the course of his daily activities and interactions in the

family and in society at large is informal.

We now focus on the role of education as a factor of social change. The impact of

education on different aspects of social life can be examined by studying the following:

(a) Socialization and social control;

(b) Development of human resources and satisfaction; and



(c) Political education.

Education is the cornerstone of human resource development. It trains individuals in the

requisite knowledge and skills required by society, thereby enabling them to fulfill

important roles in society.

Modern education is change-oriented and therefore, the course structure in schools and

colleges is periodically reviewed and modified to suit the needs of a fast changing

society.

In simple societies, family was the basic unit of production. The individuals learnt the

required skills of the family occupation at home itself. Simultaneously, it is uncommon

now to find different individuals in a family following different vocations and

consequently having different social statues.

Education also brings political awareness. Through education, governments try to

communicate their national goals to the citizens in order to ensure cohesiveness and

unity17

. Modern education system tries to popularize the ideals of democracy, liberty and

equality while familiarizing the students with their unique history and culture. The recent

debate about changes in the school curriculum underlines the role of education in shaping

political ideology.

Political factors as a means of social changes:

In this section we shall examine the role of the State and of legislation in bringing

about social changes.

Laws: Law act as an instrument of socio-economic and political change in society. Since

laws are backed by the State and have a coercive nature, individuals confirm to them.

Laws ensure certain degree of uniformity of behavior among diverse groups of

individuals and their varied cultural and behavioral patterns.

Laws also seek to mitigate the social evils and to uplift the lower section of the society.

In India, laws protect the interest of the weaker sections of the society, particularly of

those belonging to the S.Cs, S.Ts and other backward castes. Laws also protect the

interests of women, children and other disadvantaged sections of the society.

Law performs reformations functions for the society. Laws try to alter aged old customs

which are considered inimical to social stability and progress. Thus, in 1829, a law

passed banning sati. A century later, another law Child Marriage Restraint Act,

1929fixed the minimum age for marriage for boys 21 years and girls 18years. Still later

17

Yojana, July 2011 pp. 5-9



Dowry Prohibition Act has banned the practicing of giving and taking of dowry.

Maternity benefit Act, 1961 and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,2005

and Termination of Pregnancy Act etc. are an effort to uplift the status of women in the

society. Article 17 of Indian Constitution abolished untouchability and today the practice

of untouchability is an offence punishable by imprisonment.

Environment Protection Act,1986 and law relating to water and air and Indian Forest Act

etc., all these Act are responsible for the protection of environment.

The role of law as an instrument of social change finds full expression where law comes

in confrontation with social customs.

However, laws alone can not bring about social transformation. They need to be

adequately supported by the structure of society and by the people at large too.

Public opinion is a stronger means of change. Laws alone cannot change the traditions

and belief systems. This explainswhy despite having laws prohibiting evils like sati, child

marriage, dowry and untouchability, they still persist in our country. Despite this

limitation, laws still remain an effective means of bringing about socio-economic and

political transformation in society. Sociologists have referred to these functions of law

as:

(1) An indicator of change,

(2) An initiator of change,

(3) An integrator of change.

Two fold objectives of law to serve is, firstly, to keep up stability and afford orderly life

in the society. Secondly, to persuade social change by changing itself according to the

needs of the changing society. Thus, law is an important agency to social control.

The law, which is module through public opinion, is thus the result of state action in

accordance with the public opinion. Here it is necessary to remember that when Rajive

Gandhi government waned to bring Defamation Bill, because of the opposition to the bill

in the public, the government dropped the idea. The public opinion is the reflection of the

peoples will. Public opinion becomes law. Dicey writes in his book “Law and the Public

Opinion” in 19th

century that law fastest the public opinion and public opinion fastest the

law. Thus, the kind of interrelation that obtains in any given situation is essentially

determined by 2 factors:

(1) The type of political system that controls legal action; and

(2) The type of social interest which is the object of the legal regulation in question.

Role of Election:



Besides law, the right to vote and the role of elections is also an important factor of social

change. The right to vote stimulates interest in public affairs and is important means of

imparting education to masses. The parties and the leaders take this opportunity to

educate the electorate important political, economic and social issues. Besides this, it

inculcates the sense of self-respect and responsibility among the citizens.

(1) Election themselves throw up a variety of issues, which highlight the problems, goals

and objectives concerning the socio-economic conditions of the village, state and

the country at large.

(2) Elections are a form of political communication between the government and the

governed. They are the means by which the rulers become sensitive to the demand

of the people. This two way awareness and communication between the electorate

and the elected leads to social change.

Conclusions:

Social changes are a continuous process in every society. All societies, traditional

and modern, are constantly evolving. These changes are most often gradual and

barely perceptible till we attempt an inter-temporal analysis. However, occasionally

there are events which bring about dramatic and sudden changes in society. A

system perspective must acknowledge that social problems are interconnected

rather than isolated. People should be advocates for radical perspectives defensible

on both psychological and political grounds, in keeping with values such as dignity,

autonomy, equality and justice.

Bibliography:

(1) Books:

(a) A.V.Dicey, Lectures on theRelation between Law and PublicOpinion in England

during the Nineteenth Century, (1919) Ed.2nd Macmillan.

(b) RomilaThapar, Early India,2002Chaman offset Printers, New Delhi.

(c) Bipin Chandra, India’s Struggle ForIndependence (1989) Penguin Books.

(d) Ram Ahuja, Crime and Women (1987) Rawat Publication, Jaipur.

(e) J.W.Hurst, Law and the Conditions of Freedom, (1956) University of Wisconsin

Press.

(2) Articles:

(a) V.K.Dixit, “Personal Liberty and Social Relatives” 15 Marxist Miscellany 85-104

(1979).



(b) UpendraBakshi, “The Rule of Law In India” International Journal on Human

Rights, No. 6years for-2007, pp. 7-25.

(c) R.D.Yadav, “Law Social Change and Communal Harmony” 1971, pp. 11-16.

(d) UpendraBakshi, “The NyayPanchayat towards Sociology of Indian Law”, 1986,

pp95-108.

(e) Kechekyan, “Social Progress and Law” in Transactions of the Third world

Congress of Sociology, (1956) Vol. 6.

Factors Responsible For Social Changes in India

Documents

Transcript of Factors Responsible For Social Changes in India