Acceptance of Industrialization and Its Attendant Consequences for the Social Patterns of Non-Western Societies

T is the main thesis of this paper that the industrialization of non-machine socities will eventually lead to the development of new societal patterns.1 These patterns will resemble, in time, certain dominant patterns of western industrialized society, which may not be rejected by any people who accept the machines of the West. The view that only very limited aspects of western culture can be imported into the non-machine societies while certain other "less desirable" aspects can be excluded is naive, unless it is based on an understanding of those aspects of culture which are independent of the industrial economic institution, and those which are inextricably tied up with it. This discussion is pertinent today when many non-industrial societies are anxious to industrialize. A growing industrial plant is seen as security from economic want, economic imperialism, and military threats. In the short run national pride may encourage deliberate policies to perpetuate old customs and beliefs side by side with the new importations. Some of these short range compromises with the old social system may run against the long range interests of the national leaders. Knowing what must accompany industrialization would save time, money, and effort, and prevent confusion. Any attempt by planners to stop an inevitable social