Throughout the evolutionary history of humanity, there have been only two major upheavals comparable to modernization. The first significant transformation occurred when Homo sapiens evolved into primitive humans, marking the transition into primitive society. The second major transformation took place as a primitive society, through three stages of significant social division of labor, transitioned into traditional society based on agrarian economies (agricultural societies). “Agriculture is the first form of production of all more or less settled societies.” Consequently, humanity shifted from predominantly utilizing readily available natural resources through activities such as gathering, hunting, and fishing to primarily producing life necessities through agricultural cultivation. This shift also involved a transformation from a parasitic mode of existence in relation to nature to a self-sustaining mode, from a nomadic and unsettled lifestyle to a comparatively stable one. On this foundation, a truly “civilized” traditional society emerged, which persisted for millennia.

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What Does Modernization Signify?

  • Zhongmin Wu

摘要

Throughout the evolutionary history of humanity, there have been only two major upheavals comparable to modernization. The first significant transformation occurred when Homo sapiens evolved into primitive humans, marking the transition into primitive society. The second major transformation took place as a primitive society, through three stages of significant social division of labor, transitioned into traditional society based on agrarian economies (agricultural societies). “Agriculture is the first form of production of all more or less settled societies.” Consequently, humanity shifted from predominantly utilizing readily available natural resources through activities such as gathering, hunting, and fishing to primarily producing life necessities through agricultural cultivation. This shift also involved a transformation from a parasitic mode of existence in relation to nature to a self-sustaining mode, from a nomadic and unsettled lifestyle to a comparatively stable one. On this foundation, a truly “civilized” traditional society emerged, which persisted for millennia.