As I read last weeks reading, "Multiple Modernities in an Age of Globalization" by Eisenstadt, I right away noticed the frequent use of the word "modern." Immediately, the thoughts of my friend Rachel popped into my head. She is a philosophy major and every time she needs to put her input on an argument, she will always ask to define a certain word. I tried to think of my own definition. I came to the conclusion that there really is no time-standing definition of "modern." I see that the world is always changing, always raising the bar for the whole world. After I thought of a definition, I read that Eisenstadt says "The contemporary world is development..." Sounds pretty close to what I was thinking, I guess great minds think alike! ;)
Eisenstadt also says that there are two forms of modernity...hence the title "Multiple Modernities..."
The first form is "structural organizational," (Urbanization, industrialization, technology and differentiation.) This form is found all over the world. For example, Japan may come up with the technology for a more energy efficient car. For a while, that will be a "modern" idea, but then another technology will come along later, etc.
The second form is institutional. Government bodies and nation-states are always changing policies, improving laws, the list goes on.
This video below is a little bit of a stretch, but I think it displays how the word modern can be defined as development. This is an old laundry soap ad. In the 1950's this soap may have been top of the line and the washing machine may have been also. However today, soap may have been improved and the washing machine would look much different and have more functions.
I agree with your notion that there really is no set-in-stone definition as to what it means to be "modern." Ultimately I think it comes down to what you said, compiling a few thoughts and trying to do the best you can. I also liked the way you see modernization, meaning that the world is always changing and creating new ways to develop.
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