Question

1 Historically, four social revolutions have occurred as a result of new technologies. Identify the technologies which led to these social changes and explain the consequences of these technologies.

2 Explain the different assumptions unilinear as well as multilinear evolutionary theories have about the social changes in a society.

3 List and describe the five stages of social movements.

Answer 1

1 Historically, four social revolutions have occurred as a result of new technologies. Identify the technologies which led to these social changes and explain the consequences of these technologies.

The technological revolutions that led to social revolutions are:

• Domestication of animals as well as plants. This was also referred to as agricultural revolution, as a result of which people started to coexist In sedentary groups, rather than engaging in gathering and hunting, that was the usual nomadic life form in earlier days.
• PLoW invention led to another social revolution in which agriculture became more productive. As a result of this, larger groups started to live together. As a result of this, there was creation of the present form of society.
• Another major revolution was that of industrial revolution in which there occurred an invention that changed the life of people, in the form of steam engine. As a result of the steam engine, the society started to be urbanised. As a result of this mode of transport, there was a change in the way people moved, which was largely on foot or through riding on animals.
• Further, the microchip led to a world of computerisation. This led in the movement of certain societies, away from industries. This led to the formation of a post industrial society.