Changes in Social Structures During Civilization
Social structure is the distinctive pattern of social relationships within a society. The social structures provide guidelines within cultural norms, and they play an essential role in maintaining social stability. However, as time progresses, the social structure and values of the society become incompatible; hence there is a need for adoption of social change. This mechanism allows the community to survive and continue developing healthily. The waves of civilization have played a significant role in the modern world. The first and second wave of civilization did not differ a lot from the third wave of civilization. Each wave was accompanied by significant changes from one to the next. The first wave was characterized by agricultural revolution; the second wave was through an industrial revolution while the third wave focuses on muscle power in the economy. This has led to numerous changes which have an impact on society today. Although faced by many critics, the third wave of civilization has brought about rapid development and changes in the social structures of the modern world.
The third wave of civilization has influenced the social structure of the family. The third wave sweeps away some history and creates a new civilization. The social structure of the family consists of a chain of relationships that binds individuals together. Parents, friends, neighbours and communities are bound together by the social relations of the family. According to the first and second wave of civilization, there is a need for social structures for each individual to function. Although different social structures perceive the family differently, it all ends up being the central support system of an individual. However, with the third wave of civilization, families can practice different strategies for producing disciplined children with basic principles being enforced (Garbarino 3). Families in the third wave are well blended compared to when the families were nuclear consisting of immobility where they were rooted in the soil. The social environment is portrayed as an experiment which we have to focus on improving.
The third wave of civilization focuses on education as the means of being successful. This transition was characterized by a change from a brute force to the use of brain force. Education did not play a significant role in the first and second wave civilization. Individuals focused on hunting and gathering in the first wave while they were focused on factory production. Education was granted in a way that individuals would watch and learn compared to the third wave education. The education system is essential in the third wave since relationships are built in the education system, and this improves the social structure. The introduction of formal education prepares students to cope with the development and diversity of social structures for future societies (Power 38). Education institutions have been developed, and this brings together individuals from different background, enhancing their skills and social relations. The education system has been supported by the government and other sectors leading to further development socially.
In comparison to the first and second wave of civilization, the third wave was accompanied by significant changes in religion. Individuals have practised religious activities over a long period. The first and second wave was characterized by traditional religious belief whereby religion was not as universal as it is in modern society. Individuals had their theories according to how religion was established and how it was practised. However, the third wave was accompanied by changes in religion. Individuals began going to churches, and this is where they believed spiritual guidance is offered. The religions have also expanded worldwide where individuals with shared beliefs compose of a particular religion. Individuals believe that the spiritual support they receive makes them humble and provides them with greater humility (Krause 23). People who have the same beliefs make up a social structure which consists of individuals from various backgrounds.
The types of relationships have drastically changed over the years as the wave of civilization continues developing. Relationships consist of relations of individuals in a social perspective where people with certain connections compose a social structure. In the third wave, individuals practice mutual relationships. In this aspect, individuals have a chain of relations whereby they like the same person forming a specific circle of close friends. In the first and second wave of civilization, individuals practised spiritual and contractual relationships, respectively. Spiritual connection meant that the bond individuals had existed as a bond mostly linked to the soul. Contractual relationships existed as a legal bond for individuals who had a binding agreement with each other. This is mainly because the individuals engaged in factory productions. The association was based on enterprises, and this relationship served to avoid conflicts (Nakagawa 5). The social structure has been advanced in the third wave through the maintenance of mutual relations.
According to the socio-economic sector, individuals have practised different economic activities and businesses over time. In the third wave, individuals in the financial industry have been able to incorporate ideas which lead to business growth and also enhancing the social structures. Individuals have been able to form networks and alliances where corporations come together on a basis not involving contracts to carry out their activities. In the first wave, there were no real business forms, whereas in the second wave individuals formed industrial corporations which manufactured products. The social structure of networking and alliance allows individuals to seek supplies of commodities from other institutions that make various products. The ordering of commodities from manufactures helps to conserve the environment where the number of manufacturers is reduced. The use of such methods helps to save the earth and to save ourselves from ourselves (Korten 7). The third wave consists of economic activities done for a particular purpose which is necessary.
Social structures have been impacted by technological changes, especially in the field of communication. In the first wave of civilization, communication was characterized by face to face communication since ways of sending information and messages was limited to specific people. In the second wave, postal services, telegrams and telephones were used, and this advanced the communication strategy since massive amounts of information was needed. In the third wave of civilization, communication has been enhanced globally. Digital media was created where individuals can interact with whoever they want. Internet services are widely available, and individuals can socially connect despite the distance, and this changed the social structure compared to the other waves. Communication is also evident in films, and this is a result of technological advancements. The power of films shows the relationship of individuals and how they relate with others (Youn 267). The social structures of individuals can be shown when they congregate to watch films or other technological activities.
The political systems form a social structure which is guided by regulations, laws and norms. Political participation gains popularity as the economical development of a nation is achieved. The political status of individuals during the first and second wave of civilization was accompanied by brutality in many aspects. Most of the individuals did not have political freedom and those who took different political stands would face suffering and torture. Economic development leads to more political engagements. In the third wave of civilization, political engagements have drastically increased. Individuals are free to air their political views and also have political party affiliation with the party of their choice. Greater proportions of the population find themselves in life situations which lead to increased political information, political awareness, sense of personal political efficacy and other relevant attitudes (Nie 808). Politics helps in social structure since individuals participate jointly in political activities.
The waves of civilization had an impact on the social class of individuals. In the first and second wave of civilization, the individuals did not have specific social classes since they had equal rights within the society. Most of the practices did not have the social class impact on what members of a certain society practiced. The social structure is impacted by economic growth which leads to development of social classes. When economic development takes place, the relative size of the upper and middle class individuals becomes greater (Nie 809). Urban areas are able to grow and individuals with capability or political power form the upper class that mainly inhibits the prestigious areas. This creates different classes of individuals who all belong to a specific social structure.
In conclusion, the third wave civilization has brought numerous changes in the social structures. This is in comparison to how activities within the social structures were carried out in the first and second civilization waves. The changes in the social structures have been highlighted in the family, religion, relationships and the technological field. Individuals have developed their social skills due to the third wave. Many social activities can be carried out without hardships because of numerous developments that are in place. Individuals have been able to live and interact with one another despite being in different locations around the globe. The social culture has been maintained in a worldwide perspective through institutions and communication through devices which have been invented. The third wave has had a great impact on the change in social structures.
Works Cited
Garbarino, James. Children and families in the social environment. Transaction Publishers, 2017.
Korten, David C. “A living earth economy for an ecological civilization.” (2017).
Krause, Neal. “Religious involvement, humility, and self-rated health.” Social indicators research 98.1 (2010): 23-39.
Nakagawa, Junji. Nationalization, Natural Resources and International Investment Law: Contractual Relationship as a Dynamic Bargaining Process. Taylor & Francis, 2017.
Nie, Norman H., et al. “Social Structure and Political Participation: Developmental Relationships, II.” The American Political Science Review, vol. 63, no. 3, 1969, pp. 808–832. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1954430. Accessed 17 May 2020.
Power, Jane. “Third Wave Civilization.” Today’s Education: Social Studies Edition 71.1 (1982): 38-44.
Youn, Kyung Hee, Jeongyoon Choi, and Yooshin Park. “Learning the Civilization of Modern Science and Technology through Animation Film: Focusing on Michel Ocelot’s.” Cartoon and Animation Studies (2017): 267-297.