Modernization, as it is known, emanated from the famous Industrial Revolution. This was immediately after the famous English discovery of the spinning machine. From thence, modernization has been a widely used term referring to the remodeling or remolding of a system of culture into a new form. On the other hand, westernization refers to the penetration of some or all of Western civilization elements into an indigenous culture or cultural elements. In this case, the Western civilization element penetrates and takes over the role of the indigenous cultural element.
In East Asia, modernization has been widely viewed in the context of Westernization, albeit they differ quite significantly. The reason for this may be linked to the natives’ view that existed when modernization was taking place in this region. Most people believed that by accepting modernization, they were also agreeing to the concept of Westernization of their culture (Kim et.al., 2007, 25). Since they were in need of modernization at the time, many started replacing certain elements of their Asian culture and replaced them with some of the Western civilization elements. This resulted in significant changes to their customs and everyday life. With this adoption of the Western civilization elements and culture came some changes in the modes of dressing, food, housing and even the hair styles. This can be regarded as major part of Western civilization. Though the original intent of modernizing their culture was not in incorporating Westernization, the natives’ lack of differentiation caused it to become a part of their lives. To the Asian people, this new aura of Westernization brought about convenience, comfort, and a new culture that they felt was accommodating. However, it should not be confused that whatever form of Western elements that penetrated into the indigenous culture actually performed almost similar functions to those that had been replaced.
The introduction of modern communication equipments and modes of transport can be considered as a form of modernization. This is because of the potential of development that these equipments had in the Asian societies and culture. They had the latency to improve their lives and broaden their outlook upon things as well as transforming their thinking patterns, behavioral patterns, and the general world view. Despite the Asians’ general acceptance of modernization and Westernization, the two concepts have not come with overall good effects as was expected. They have not offered the dignified sense of social stability and lifestyle all through as they had promised (Raud, 2012, 10). Some challenges have been encountered along their incorporation. Some of these challenges have been indelible and irretrievable. There have been serious tensions and causes of concerns regarding the presence of the Western culture in such non-Western region. This tension has resulted to frictions and misunderstanding between those Asian societies that have incorporated them and those that have not. There is, therefore, a conflict between the Western civilizations and the traditional East Asian culture. A good example where such frictions have occurred is Japan.
In summary, it is clear that the original intent of modernization was not to bring about the concept of Westernization. What took place has been the result of confusion between the two.
Works Cited
Kim, Kyŏng-dong, and Hyŏn-jin Im. East Meets West: Civilizational Encounters and the Spirit of Capitalism in East Asia. Leiden: Brill, 2007. Internet resource.
Raud. Japan and Asian Modernities. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2012. Internet resource.
"TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND MODERNIZATION." N.p., Web. 3 Apr. 2014.
