Technology & Social Change Technology: An Agent of Social Change

What is Technology? The creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment Brings with it some degree of change and the possibility for both positive and negative consequences Can itself be an instrument of change E.g. the printing press in Europe

Where Does Change Begin? Social change theory looks at the factors contributing to change within the structure of society Traditional theorists believe that change begins with the individual person, meaning that change is initiated by an individual person who shares an idea with his/her community and if the idea is accepted, society changes to adapt to the new idea (new idea = new technology) Therefore, technology accompanies change in society http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVvGxHALfns

Technological Determinism States that change is initiated by technology, not by the individual Created by economist and social theorist Thorstein Veblen and later supported by U of T scholars who became known as the Toronto School See the invention of a particular tool as taking on a life of its own and society simply reacting to this new technology Some combine the two views saying that social change is initiated by both societal ideals and the introduction of new technology

Veblen Society evolves through the invention and acceptance of new technologies Technology forms the material base of society & determines the states of a society in comparison to other societies Darwinian approach to the capitalist economic system – “fittest” are business leaders who seek to display their wealth & rise to ruling position

Continued… Conspicuous consumption publicly demonstrates excessive wealth by purchasing luxury items Pecuniary emulation clearly demonstrating one’s monetary worth Society changes for the better with technological development “Leisure class” – wealthy members of society who are more interested in making money than bettering the greater community