Westernisation as a process of Social Change

1. WESTERNISATION
Dr. Anil Bhatt
Assistant Professor
Dept of Sociology

2. Introduction
• The term Westernisation was introduced by
M. N. Srinivas mainly to explain the changes in
Indian Society as a result of Western contact
(British Rule in India)
• Westernization is a process whereby societies
come under or adopt Western culture in areas
such as industry, technology, law, politics,
economics, lifestyle, diet, clothing, language,
alphabet, religion, philosophy, and values.

3. Definition
• M.N.Srinivas (Social Change in Modern India)
“Westernisation refers to the changes brought
in Indian Society and Culture as a result of
over 150 years of British Rule and the term
subsumes changes occurring at different levels
like technology, institutions, ideology, values.”
• Yogendra Singh- Humanitarian and rationality
is a part of Westernisation

4. Features of Westernisation
• Westernisation is a simple concept
• It implies value preferences- ( Secularisation,
Humanitarianism Rationality, Equality, Welfare
of all.)
• It brought changes in social Institutions
• It is ethically Neutral
• It is a scientific process (Cause and effect) and
has different forms

5. Features of Westernisation
• Westernisation is a multi-level process.
• It is a pervasive and broadened concept
( Material and Non materialistic changes)
• It accelerates mobility outside the social
framework of caste
• Pace of westernisation differed from place to
place
• Introduced new law and initiated social
reforms led to many changes in Indian society.

6. Impact of Westernisation on Indian
Society
• Impact on Caste system
• Impact on Marriage
• Impact on Family system
• Eradication of Social Evils
• Spread of Education
• Means of transport and communications
• Impact on the status of Women
• Better technological advancement

7. Westernisation v/s Modernization
WESTERNISATION MODERNIZATION
Introduced by MN Srinivas Introduced by Daniel Lerner
Ethically Neutral Indicates progress or is good
Based on Adoption Based on transformation
Subjugation of Local Culture Application of new knowledge
and innovation
More related to impact on
culture, practices and and
religion
Industrialisation, Technological
advancement and
Urbanization
Related to way of Life Change in Belief towards
Wisdom, rationality and
Science
Adoption from the west Change from Traditional to
Modern Society

8. THANK YOU
(Dr Anil Bhatt)