Essay on Technology and China

Resource Description

Question: How well does ONE social theory explain the role of technology in social change in China? (15 marks)

Intro: Evolutionary Theory assumes that society evolves along a linear continuum, shifting from an agricultural society to an industrial and post-industrialised society. It implies the notion that societies are constantly reaching newer and higher levels of development over time in a progressive and linear fashion. Evolutionary theory can be applied to explain the role of technology in harbouring social change in China. The key features of the theory are mostly successful in explaining the role of technology in social change in China, to the extent that industrialisation and modernisation have resulted in a more efficient and enhanced society. However, the development of social change, due to technology, has not necessarily led to progress in China, thus making the theory non-applicable in this regard. In this way, the application of Evolutionary theory, to better comprehend the role of technology in social change in China, is only mildly effective as it is not entirely applicable.