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In one sentence, can someone answer this question? Initially, I thought that modernism was synonymous w/ westernization. Now, I'm not sure. Please feel free to answer in more than one sentence; I appreciate the help.
Modernism is a movement in the art world where things are made to look more modern. Think of the art-deco look of a streamlined steam locomotive from the 1920's. That's modernism. This can be extrapolated into other fields besides art, but it's basically concerned with design, not function.
Modernization is the act of replacing older systems and methods with more efficient ones.
Modernism is a movement in the art world where things are made to look more modern. Think of the art-deco look of a streamlined steam locomotive from the 1920's. That's modernism. This can be extrapolated into other fields besides art, but it's basically concerned with design, not function.
Modernization is the act of replacing older systems and methods with more efficient ones.
This is a good characterization, although Modernism (with a capital M) applies across all the arts: literature, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. The period is roughly 1890 to 1950, but this is debatable depending on the art form. Modernism was preceded by Romanticism and followed by Post-Modernism.
Art historians and critics have been so successful in appropriating the defining the word, it’s almost impossible to use it in another context, especially in academic writing. In the 19th century “modernism” may have meant a belief in new technology and industrial techniques, but it’s not used that way anymore.
Westernization is a difficult word that you should use carefully. It means literally “adopting the practices of the West” or even “becoming like the West.” Some people use it as a synonym for “industrialization,” but strictly speaking, they’re not the same. A country can become industrialized, and even modernized, without necessarily being Westernized.
Modernism is a movement in the art world where things are made to look more modern. Think of the art-deco look of a streamlined steam locomotive from the 1920's. That's modernism. This can be extrapolated into other fields besides art, but it's basically concerned with design, not function.
Modernization is the act of replacing older systems and methods with more efficient ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tpk-nyc
This is a good characterization, although Modernism (with a capital M) applies across all the arts: literature, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. The period is roughly 1890 to 1950, but this is debatable depending on the art form. Modernism was preceded by Romanticism and followed by Post-Modernism.
Art historians and critics have been so successful in appropriating the defining the word, it’s almost impossible to use it in another context, especially in academic writing. In the 19th century “modernism” may have meant a belief in new technology and industrial techniques, but it’s not used that way anymore.
Westernization is a difficult word that you should use carefully. It means literally “adopting the practices of the West” or even “becoming like the West.” Some people use it as a synonym for “industrialization,” but strictly speaking, they’re not the same. A country can become industrialized, and even modernized, without necessarily being Westernized.
Greetings,
I appreciate the replies. Several students gave answers similar to those that you two have provided. However, she continue to ask, "What is the difference between modernism and modernization?"
This is the original question: Discuss why the Chinese road to modernization differed from that of Western Europe and the U.S. Incorporate "Where the East Parts From the West" (link to article below) into your discussion.
My answer:
Western Europe’s road to modernity has been long and bloody. Western Europe benefited from the Romans, who benefited from the Greeks, who benefited from the Egyptians. By using the knowledge of the aforementioned groups; Western Europeans didn’t have to start at from a dearth of knowledge. Unlike the continent of Africa, Europe is relatively resource poor. Ironically, this has been advantageous to Europe. They had to use their might and wit to locate the resources that they wanted and needed, wherever those resources may have existed. Once they arrived in new lands; they discovered that the newly found people were unable to match their power.
China also has a long and bloody history. However, the Chinese didn’t seek to conquer the known and the unknown, as the Europeans did. China has been the victim of Western aggression. That said, the Chinese were never completely conquered. They knew that if the country was to survive, they must modernize quickly. That is: they must mechanize, industrialize, educate its people for the benefit of China, etc. They realized that if they didn’t implement modernity it would be imposed. Today, China is one of the largest economies; and they didn’t have to follow the European example to achieve modernity.
Her reply: "Good start. In one sentence, tell me the difference between modernism and modernization."
A few excerpts from the aforementioned article:
"The product of the Enlightenment, modernism - centered as it is on individualism, rights and science - was a unique Western cultural experience" (Li).
"Modernism facilitated the development of science and the industrial revolution and led to the greatest advancement of material power in the history of man: modernization" (Li).
"The individual, conceived as rational and endowed with God-given rights, sits at the center of the value system of modernism" (Li).
"For over a century, modernism was seen as the only route to modernization. Even non-liberal experiments such as Soviet Communism were essentially (though fundamentally flawed) derivatives of modernism" (Li).
I think that we're all stumped as to what she wants. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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