Modernization Theory, Then and Now

Contrary to the pronouncements of Wallerstein, Alexander and others, modernization theory is far from dead. Publications on modernization theory have increased in number during each successive five-year period since 1970. I distinguish between modernization theory “then” – its formative period from 1949 to 1979, and “now” the period since the 1990s. Two main things have happened to the theory. First, some research findings in diverse sub-fields continue to vary with, and be explained by, societies’ level of modernization, thereby confirming the original modernization paradigm. Second, when other researchers discovered anomalies that could not be explained within the original theory, they did not abandon the theory. Instead, they creatively extended it in new directions that could account for the anomalies, using such concepts as reflexive modernization, risk society, first and second modernity, ecological modernization, evolutionary theory, values modernization, multiple modernities, and global modernity.