Nicolau Gabriela. Limba engleza.

Tema 2.

Modern and traditional are two different ideological approach to governing society. Thus,

Traditional societies are the way in which communities were ruled, this culture were governed

based on a vertical tactic, whereby the males are dominant over the women and children. In

addition from an economic perspective this way of life is viewed from the top to bottom. In other

words, Gods or men notions were considered while citizens’, women and children in this case

were given a deaf ear. Additionally, Conservatism was the political principles that influenced

this life style. A modern society on the other hand refers to the principles and habits that

administer our present world.   On an economic scale the bottom to top approach is used, looking

at the broader picture, attentively focusing on the citizens other than the leaders.   Furthermore

liberal governance is employed in this social sphere. Thus, this paper is to critically analyze and

compare both traditional and modern organizations of society as ideologies. The objective of this

paper is to link the purpose to the broader social, political and economic issues, focusing

specifically on the family, role of government, technology and other relevant subjects. 

There is a very simple way to define the difference between Traditional and Modern

societies. The fundamental difference is that of the personal and the impersonal society. The

personal or traditional society is quite formal. People’s names are indicators of social status. The

community is aware of who belongs in their given space and who doesn’t. There is a strong

sense of morality that is generally shared by members of the community. Even time is kept by a

“concrete” system governed by harvests, solar or lunar cycles. The impersonal or modern society

is much more abstract and informal. 

Individuals rarely know their next door neighbors let alone who belongs in their

community. Amerigo Bonasera an apparent immigrant to the United States put a great deal of

faith in the American political system, in particular the judicial system when his daughter was

severely beaten. A modern society would punish them as the law sees fit with taking into

consideration any of the personal matters that influence the actions of Amerigo. If the law had

more of a modern approach none of the previously mentioned issues would have been relevant to

the ruling. Amerigo was disappointed in the ruling of the court to essentially free his daughter's

attackers citing their young age, clean records and fine families as reason for light punishment.

He knew that by expressing the wrong that was done to his family and the personal insult that the

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Nicolau Gabriela. Limba engleza.

freedom the attackers enjoyed to the Don that he would agree to deliver the vengeance he so

desired. These examples show the clear difference between Traditional and Modern societies. As

we read in lecture no pure example of either exists anywhere in the world. Time is also arbitrary

yet extremely important. Puzo's The Godfather reflects a traditional outlook on society and

politics. People's lives, careers and even mental health are greatly affected by a system of time

that has no solid basis for existence. Morality is left more or less to the individual although the

individual must behave in accordance with agreed upon laws established by communal morality.

In today's world, the modern person is educated, independent and aggressive. To be a

success, you must put forth your most competitive side and win it all. Nothing less will be

permitted. This is the mindset of most business tycoons, stockbrokers and the like. However, on

the other side of the globe, third world countries follow a more traditional lifestyle where the

outlook on life is a little less malicious. In these countries, the society's idea of success is being

part of a large family with prosperous crops and livestock. How is it that our society and theirs

have both been successful? And why has the traditional way of life stayed so prevalent in such

an industrialized world? 

First, what exactly does a traditional society entail? A traditional society has many

distinguishable traits. A big difference is the rate of illiteracy in these societies. Since everyone

in the family is working together to survive, no one has the time or energy to learn how to read

and write. Education is considered an indulgence in traditional societies. Farming is the main

career - low urbanization and more rural communities fill these areas. Farming is not meant to

bring profit, like in a modern society; it means survival for these people.  Many people are

needed to reap a field when the crops are ready. Therefore, many children must be born. The

birth rates in third world cultures are very high as a result.

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