Theories of social change

Theories of social change are, in general, related to the direction of change and the way in which the changes occur. Sociologists like to explain the nature, direction, causes and consequences of social change. Some theories of social change are as follows;

1. Structural functionalist theory

This theory argues that social change occurs as the diversification and increasing division of labor in the social system of a particular society. Structural functionalists focus on coherence, order and stability of the social system. Change disturbs the proper functioning of the system. Structural-functionalist theory focuses on the impact of social change in the structure of society, the function and dysfunction of change, the stability and balance of the social system. When a change occurs, the order and the balance of the social system is defined and thus the system itself to bring back to equilibrium, the functioning of the system is smooth.

2. Conflict theory

This theory argues that social change occurs as a result of the ever-present class conflict in the social system for better or worse. According to this theory, that social change is the result of social conflicts and important and useful. Every social system in the seeds of change in so far as it is a system where the use of a group by the other exists. Social change remains to be inevitable until a classless society, one which will not cause conflict.

3. Cyclic theory

This theory states that communities undergoing change in a circular manner. Social change takes a cyclical form of worse to better, more efficient back worse. Social change is not always for the better. Associations can grow, advance and reach a maximum stage of development, and they can stagnate and ultimately collapse, with rising the potential for the weather.

linear theory

This theory states that the change occurs in a linear fashion. The direction of social change is better from the worse, from simple to complex and back to modern. In other words, according to the linear theory, evolutionary social change; it is always better to reach perfection. modernization theory

The theory of social change can be considered an extension of the linear evolution. It is claimed that the changes experienced by most Third World societies by imitation or duplication of values, experiences and models of all modern societies. It is by adopting; assimilate and internalize the aspects of industrialized society copying will lead to a better social, economic and political development of society.