The concept of “social dynamics”

Concept social dynamics refers to the theory of progress and is the object of research by many sociologists. In general, the authors emphasize that progress and its processes are characteristic only human societies, since their actions and behavior are expedient and rational.

Note 1

Progress and, accordingly, the dynamic development of society became possible precisely due to the fact that, unlike an animal, a person gains new experience, which he then transmits to other generations. At the same time, only a person has the opportunity to accumulate wealth, both material and spiritual.

Definition 1

Social dynamics is a set of processes of functioning, changes in society and its development. Without it, society falls into a state of stagnation, which has the opposite effect, and along with progressive development, society regresses. In essence, dynamics is movement, a change in the state of a social phenomenon or social process, as well as social matter in general.

Dynamics cannot be tracked if you do not control the changes that occur in any object or phenomenon. That a change of state has occurred social system, we judge by how it was before, and how its current state differs from the previous one. To do this, we need both quantitative and qualitative measures of the state of the social system. If we are talking specifically about social development, which occurs in the process of social dynamics, then it has some sociological indicators:

• Accumulation - changes in society can replace each other, but their consequences, as well as indicators, accumulate. For example, some reforms lead to the collapse of a system, but the consequence of this process is the emergence new system, in an improved, improved version, which is its qualitatively new stage in development;
• Irreversibility of social dynamics - the result that society achieves in the process of dynamic changes is fixed and cannot undergo other changes, unless by completely replacing one process with another;
• Multivariate – social dynamics presupposes a large number of options and ways for further development of society. Moreover, it is worth considering that the process will not always lead to the result that a person expects, or which will have a beneficial effect on further processes;
• Direction to improvement - social dynamics and social changes always imply the desire of the social system and each of its structural components to improve. This is very important, because every participant in the social process is based on the opinion that processes and phenomena should become more complex, which leads to an improvement in conditions if they are correctly directed and controlled using qualitative and quantitative indicators;
• The pattern is that development and social dynamics always appear where systems and structures really need it. It is this characteristic that is called “regularity”. If the system does not need changes at any time, then they will not be accepted, but will not harm it further development, but will be perceived as one of its options;
• Effectiveness – development can take place in separate group, but social dynamics can be traced throughout society. It is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the social system, because changes may also be rejected. In case of acceptance, the social functions of the object change, as well as its properties, which leads to a strengthening of its positions, and with regards labor organization, then this leads to an improvement in its qualitative and quantitative indicators, as well as to strengthening in the competitive race.

Classification of social dynamics

To date, researchers have identified several types of social dynamics, which represent social development from different sides and using different principles of interpretation. Among them are cyclical, linear, spiral and rhizome types of social dynamics.

The cyclical model of social dynamics is the most ancient, and arose back in the distant past. primitive times. For primitive man and all processes and phenomena were closed and repeating. These include the change of seasons (from winter to spring, from spring to summer, from summer to autumn and again a return to winter, which first caused primitive man to associate with the cycle). Also, everything is repeated in the social component of human life, therefore the laws traditional society aimed at maintaining the stability of the social system.

The linear nature of social dynamics lies in the fact that even medieval people had the idea that there is a past that will never repeat itself, but at the same time it quite intensively influences the present. In addition, another category – the future – depends on the present. Therefore, the well-being of the processes will now affect favorable development subsequent social phenomena.

The spiral model of social dynamics was proposed at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries by the philosopher and famous German researcher Georg Hegel. A spiral combines the properties of a circle and a line. Thus, some phenomena tend to repeat themselves, but in a more improved version and adapted to modern times.

The rhizome-like concept of social dynamics belongs to postmodern philosophy. This type of social dynamics and social development has a chaotic nature of manifestation, because the processes do not have a single beginning. This can mean both positive and negative consequences. Any type of social dynamics depends only on the direction of social development, as well as on its public character. It can be both positive and negative, without excluding neutral consequences that will not bring any visible changes.

Historical process

The historical process is a consistent series of successive events in which the activities of many generations of people were manifested. The historical process is universal; it covers all manifestations of human life from obtaining “daily bread” to studying planetary phenomena.
The real world is populated by people, their communities, and therefore the display historical process should be, according to N. Karamzin’s definition, “a mirror of the existence and activity of peoples.” The basis, the “living tissue” of the historical process is events, i.e. certain past or passing phenomena, facts public life. He studies this entire endless series of events in their unique appearance inherent in each of them. historical science.

There is another branch of social science that studies the historical process - philosophy of history. She seeks to reveal general nature historical process, the most general laws, the most significant relationships in history. This is an area of ​​philosophy that studies the internal logic of the development of society, cleared of zigzags and accidents. Some questions of the philosophy of history (meaning and direction social development) were reflected in the previous paragraph, others (problems of progress) will be revealed in the next one. This paragraph discusses the types of social dynamics, factors and driving forces historical development.

The historical process is society in dynamics, that is, in movement, change, development. The last three words are not synonyms. In any society, people carry out a variety of activities and perform their tasks. government bodies, various institutions and associations: in other words, society lives and moves. In everyday activities, established social relations retain their qualitative characteristics; society as a whole does not change its character. This manifestation of the process can be called functioning society.
Social changes - this is the transition of certain social objects from one state to another, the appearance of new properties, functions, relationships in them, i.e. modifications in social organization, social institutions, social structure patterns of behavior established in society.
Changes that lead to deep, qualitative changes in society, transformations of social connections, and the transition of the entire social system to a new state are called social development.
Philosophers and sociologists consider Various types social dynamics. The most common type is considered linear motion as an ascending or descending line of social development. This type is associated with the concepts of progress and regression, which will be discussed in the following lessons. Cyclic type combines the processes of emergence, flourishing and collapse of social systems that have a certain length in time, after which they cease to exist. You were introduced to this type of social dynamics in previous classes. Third, spiral type is associated with the recognition that the course of history can return a particular society to a previously passed state, but characteristic not of the immediately preceding stage, but of an earlier one. At the same time, the features characteristic of a long-gone state seem to be returning, but at a higher level of social development, at a new qualitative level. It is believed that the spiral type is found when reviewing long periods of the historical process, with a large-scale approach to history. Let's look at an example. You probably remember from your history course that a common form of manufacturing was dispersed manufacturing. Industrial development led to the concentration of workers in large factories. And in the conditions of the information society, there is a return to working from home: an increasing number of workers perform their duties on personal computers without leaving home.
In science there were supporters of recognizing one or another of the named options for historical development. But there is a point of view according to which linear, cyclical, and spiral processes appear in history. They appear not as parallel or replacing each other, but as interconnected aspects of an integral historical process.
Social change can occur in different forms. You are familiar with the words “evolution” and “revolution”. Let us clarify their philosophical meaning.
Evolution is gradual, continuous changes, transforming one into another without jumps or breaks. Evolution is contrasted with the concept of “revolution,” which characterizes abrupt, qualitative changes.
A social revolution is a radical qualitative revolution in the entire social structure of society: deep, radical changes covering the economy, politics, and spiritual sphere. In contrast to evolution, a revolution is characterized by a rapid, spasmodic transition to a qualitatively new state of society, a rapid transformation of the basic structures of the social system. As a rule, a revolution leads to the replacement of the old social order new. The transition to a new system can be carried out both in relatively peaceful forms and in violent ones. Their ratio depends on specific historical conditions. Revolutions were often accompanied by destructive and brutal actions, bloody sacrifices. There are different assessments of revolutions. Some scientists and politicians point to them negative traits and dangers associated with both the use of violence against a person and the violent rupture of the “fabric” itself social life - public relations. Others call revolutions “locomotives of history.” (Based on knowledge from your history course, determine your assessment of this form of social change.)
When considering the forms of social change, we should remember the role of reforms. You came across the concept of “reform” in your history course. Most often, social reform is the reorganization of any aspect of social life (institutions, institutions, order, etc.) while maintaining the existing social system. This is a type of evolutionary change that does not change the fundamentals of the system. Reforms are usually carried out “from above”, by the ruling forces. The scale and depth of reforms characterize the dynamics inherent in society.
At the same time modern science recognizes the possibility of implementing a system of deep reforms that could become an alternative to revolution, prevent it or replace it. Such reforms, revolutionary in their scope and consequences, can lead to a radical renewal of society, avoiding the shocks associated with spontaneous manifestations of violence inherent in social revolutions.

Social dynamics

Everything in the world is in constant motion, including social matter. However, the nature, direction, and intensity of movement may be different. To designate these differences in the movement of social matter in sociology, there are such concepts as “social dynamics”, “social changes”, “social development”, “social progress”, “social regression”, etc. It is fundamentally important from a methodological point of view to understand into the content of these categories. So, social dynamics. This concept was introduced into use by O. Comte, the founder of sociology. He used it, firstly, as a contrast to social statics, to designate social movement. Secondly, as a change in the state of social phenomena.

Thus, social dynamics can be defined as social movement, as a change in the states of social phenomena and formations, society as a whole. Close to it in meaning is the concept of “social change”. Social change is a violation of the identity of a social phenomenon or process with itself or with a similar social phenomenon or process. Any phenomenon or process at some point is identical to itself or a similar phenomenon or process, but after some time this identity is violated, which indicates that changes have occurred in this phenomenon. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus expressed this with the following aphorism: “You cannot enter the same river twice. Everything flows, everything changes. ”

What is the relationship between the concepts: “social dynamics” and “social changes”? If we proceed from the position that “Motion, when applied to matter, is change in general,” then these concepts are in a direct dialectical connection. They condition and reveal each other. Using the concept of “social dynamics”, we mean the movement of society, changes in its state, which are manifested in changes occurring in the economic, political, social, spiritual spheres, in changes in specific social phenomena and processes.

As for the concept of “social development,” it reflects an irreversible, directed, natural change in social phenomena or processes, as a result of which they move into a new qualitative state (their composition or structure changes).

It should be emphasized that only the simultaneous presence of all three of these properties distinguishes development processes from other changes: the reversibility of changes characterizes functioning processes (cyclical reproduction of a constant system of functions); the absence of patterns is characteristic of random processes of a catastrophic type; in the absence of direction, changes cannot accumulate, and therefore the process is deprived of a single, internally interconnected line characteristic of development.

From these considerations it is clear that social development and social change are inextricably linked. Social development is one of the manifestations of social change.

Having defined the concepts of “social dynamics”, “social changes” and “social development”, their relationship, let us consider in more depth the content and direction of social development.

An essential characteristic of development processes is time, since, firstly, only time reveals the direction of development. Therefore history scientific ideas about development begins only from the time when theoretical ideas about the direction of time have been formed. This is due to the establishment of Christianity, which put forward the idea of ​​​​the linear development of time, which preachers extended only to the sphere of the spirit, and was completely expelled from the sphere of natural processes.

With the emergence of empirical science of modern times, the idea of ​​a linear direction in the development of time makes its way into the study of nature and leads to the formation of ideas about natural history, about directed and irreversible changes in nature and society. The creation of scientific cosmology, the theory of evolution in biology, and geology played a turning point here. The idea of ​​development is firmly established in natural science and almost simultaneously becomes the subject of philosophical research. This is the case in Hegel's philosophy. Based on the dialectical method, he not only showed the universality of the principle of development, but also revealed its universal mechanism and source - the emergence, struggle and overcoming of opposites.

The idea of ​​development was adopted by sociologists when analyzing society and its history. And O. Comte, and G. Spencer, and E. Durkheim, and K. Marx considered society and its structures as constantly developing phenomena. True, O. Comte, G. Spencer, E. Durkheim shared the concept of evolutionary development, K. Marx and his followers - revolutionary. K. Marx considered the revolution to be the locomotive of history.

Thus, in sociology, two concepts emerged in their views on the development of society: evolutionism and Marxism. On their basis, two movements were formed - reformist and revolutionary.

Without going into an analysis of these concepts, we emphasize the idea that both one and the other concepts are subject to criticism in both Western and domestic sociology.

What is methodological basis determining the nature and direction of social development?

It is obvious that this basis should be Hegel’s doctrine of development. Based on this teaching, the following essential characteristics of social development can be formulated.

1. By its nature, social development represents quantitative accumulations of some changes in social phenomena, processes, society as a whole, which at some stage (when the measure characterizing their stability is violated) will lead to qualitative changes in these phenomena, processes, society as a whole. For example, if reforms are successfully carried out in society, which will result in an increase in production material goods, enriching the people with cultural achievements, improving the management system based on democratic principles, improving the living standards of the working people, then after some time society will reach a quality new stage in its development. Moreover, this leap in social development does not necessarily have to take a revolutionary form.

The difference between the reformist or evolutionary nature of the development of society and the revolutionary one is that in the process of transformation, change, reorganization of any aspects of social life (orders, institutions, institutions, etc.) the foundations of the existing socio-political structure and the given social building. The revolutionary nature of social development means the destruction of the very foundations of the functioning of economic and political institutions of a given society, fundamental changes in its structure. Since the revolutionary nature of the development of society is based on destruction, it is painful for society and may not advance it forward to perfection, but, on the contrary, throw it back. History confirms this with more than just isolated examples.

is a consistent series of successive events in which the activities of many generations of people were manifested. The historical process is universal; it covers all manifestations of human life from obtaining “daily bread” to studying planetary phenomena.
The real world is populated by people, their communities, therefore the reflection of the historical process should be, according to N. Karamzin’s definition, “a mirror of the existence and activity of peoples.” The basis, the “living tissue” of the historical process is events, that is, certain past or passing phenomena, facts of social life. He studies this entire endless series of events in their unique appearance inherent in each of them. historical science.

There is another branch of social science that studies the historical process - philosophy of history. It seeks to reveal the general nature of the historical process, the most general laws, the most significant relationships in history. This is an area of ​​philosophy that studies the internal logic of the development of society, cleared of zigzags and accidents. Some questions of the philosophy of history (the meaning and direction of social development) were reflected in the previous paragraph, others (problems of progress) will be revealed in the next. This section examines the types of social dynamics, factors and driving forces of historical development.

TYPES OF SOCIAL DYNAMICS

The historical process is society in dynamics, that is, in movement, change, development. The last three words are not synonyms. In any society, diverse activities of people are carried out, government bodies, various institutions and associations carry out their tasks: in other words, society lives and moves. In everyday activities, established social relations retain their qualitative characteristics; society as a whole does not change its character. This manifestation of the process can be called functioning society.
Social changes - This is the transition of certain social objects from one state to another, the appearance of new properties, functions, relationships in them, i.e. modifications in social organization, social structure, patterns of behavior established in society.
Changes that lead to deep, qualitative changes in society, transformations of social connections, and the transition of the entire social system to a new state are called social development.
Philosophers and sociologists consider various types of social dynamics. The most common type is considered linear motion as an ascending or descending line of social development. This type is associated with the concepts of progress and regression, which will be discussed in the following lessons. Cyclic type combines the processes of emergence, flourishing and collapse of social systems that have a certain length in time, after which they cease to exist. You were introduced to this type of social dynamics in previous classes. Third, spiral type is associated with the recognition that the course of history can return a particular society to a previously passed state, but characteristic not of the immediately preceding stage, but of an earlier one. At the same time, the features characteristic of a long-gone state seem to be returning, but at a higher level of social development, at a new qualitative level. It is believed that the spiral type is found when reviewing long periods of the historical process, with a large-scale approach to history. Let's look at an example. You probably remember from your history course that a common form of manufacturing was dispersed manufacturing. Industrial development led to the concentration of workers in large factories. And in the conditions of the information society, there is a return to working from home: an increasing number of workers perform their duties on personal computers without leaving home.
In science there were supporters of recognizing one or another of the named options for historical development. But there is a point of view according to which linear, cyclical, and spiral processes appear in history. They appear not as parallel or replacing each other, but as interconnected aspects of an integral historical process.
Social change can occur in different forms. You are familiar with the words “evolution” and “revolution”. Let us clarify their philosophical meaning.
Evolution is gradual, continuous changes, transforming one into another without jumps or breaks. Evolution is contrasted with the concept of “revolution,” which characterizes abrupt, qualitative changes.
A social revolution is a radical qualitative revolution in the entire social structure of society: deep, radical changes covering the economy, politics, and spiritual sphere. In contrast to evolution, a revolution is characterized by a rapid, spasmodic transition to a qualitatively new state of society, a rapid transformation of the basic structures of the social system. As a rule, a revolution leads to the replacement of an old social system with a new one. The transition to a new system can be carried out both in relatively peaceful forms and in violent ones. Their ratio depends on specific historical conditions. Revolutions were often accompanied by destructive and cruel actions and bloody sacrifices. There are different assessments of revolutions. Some scientists and politicians point out their negative features and dangers associated both with the use of violence against a person and with the violent rupture of the very “fabric” of social life - social relations. Others call revolutions “locomotives of history.” (Based on knowledge from your history course, determine your assessment of this form of social change.)
When considering the forms of social change, we should remember the role of reforms. You came across the concept of “reform” in your history course. Most often, social reform refers to the reconstruction of any aspect of social life (institutions, institutions, orders, etc.) while maintaining the existing social system. This is a type of evolutionary change that does not change the fundamentals of the system. Reforms are usually carried out “from above”, by the ruling forces. The scale and depth of reforms characterize the dynamics inherent in society.
At the same time, modern science recognizes the possibility of implementing a system of deep reforms that could become an alternative to revolution, prevent it or replace it. Such reforms, revolutionary in their scope and consequences, can lead to a radical renewal of society, avoiding the shocks associated with spontaneous manifestations of violence inherent in social revolutions.

It should be recognized that reform and revolution treat an already advanced disease, while constant and early prevention is necessary. This kind of prevention includes INNOVATION and MODERNIZATION processes. Agree, it is not so radical and sensitive for society.

The process of modernization can be illustrated by examples of the gradual transition from feudalism to capitalism in England as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The introduction of the steam engine and the replacement of manual labor with machine production occurred without government control and intervention, very slowly and gradually, without radically breaking the usual way of life. Society managed to adapt to the gradual changes of capitalism.

Society is dynamic, and sociology has been studying the processes of its change for quite some time. Currently, four main theories have been formulated to describe the changes taking place. This is a rhizome-like type of social dynamics, a cycle, a line, a spiral.

Society: everything is cyclical

This idea has been around since primitive times. This was largely due to external factors, strongly influencing human consciousness: the seasons replaced each other, the Sun set and rose again. Similar processes have been noticed in society. Mostly laws, known for a long time, are aimed at maintaining a stable state of society. It is for this reason that the way of life of a person belonging to ancient communities changed so little over the centuries. And currently, the cyclical type of social dynamics attracts the attention of many researchers.

In a straight line: forward, only forward

The linear type of social dynamics is based on ideas first voiced during the Middle Ages. People began to understand that the past was significantly different from the future, and events that happened before would probably never be repeated. Classic example- the moment of the creation of the world, which happened once and became the starting point. There is also a future that will one day come, although it is not clear at what point this will happen. In the minds of medieval Europeans, this final point was the Last Judgment.

This example of a type of social dynamics reflects goal orientation well. In the minds of the inhabitants of the Middle Ages, the final point should have been God's kingdom on our planet. At the same time, the previously dominant idea of ​​a circle was sharply reformatted into a clear straight line. History gained meaning and purpose, and became easier for the individual to perceive.

In a spiral: forward, but not quite

The spiral type of social dynamics was first formulated among German philosophers; the author of this idea was Hegel (1770-1831). Distinctive feature theories - at the same time the presence specific signs both lines and circles. It is difficult to deny that history repeats itself over the years, but it has certain differences at the next turn - the quality changes, many aspects are improved.

A spiral is characterized by the presence of a goal, which makes the system close to linear. For this type of social dynamics, the goal can be briefly formulated as the creation of a perfect, flawless state. Philosophers believed that the idea of ​​​​the existence of society lies in the organization of the most intelligent society, where impeccable justice will rule. The dream community is a kind of kingdom of freedom.

Rhizome system

This type of social dynamics was first articulated by postmodernists. Its name comes from the biologically specific term “rhizome,” which is usually understood as the root system of a perennial plant. Distinctive feature biological structure- absence of a tap root. The rhizome is characterized by an abundance of intertwined shoots. Their directions are completely impossible to predict; there are dying branches that appear again.

When they talk about the rhizome as a type of social dynamics, they thereby reflect the chaotic nature of our community. The processes taking place in society are completely meaningless from the point of view of postmodernism. This idea is reflected in the main postulates of the approach.

Specific Features

To understand at what point in history what type of social dynamics took place, it is necessary to navigate the direction of social development and the nature of the processes occurring within the community. Development is a change in qualities that obeys certain laws and has a specific direction. They talk about progress, regression. The first involves moving forward, the second - opposite direction. With progress, society improves, moves upward from below, and becomes more complex. Regression, accordingly, includes simplification and consistent deterioration of the system.

In the seventeenth century, the idea of ​​improving society was first voiced. At the same time, attention was paid not only to the types of social dynamics (social studies for modern schoolchildren- a subject that gives a full understanding of the issue), but also on the freedom of society, individuals, as well as the opportunity to develop the mind. Philosophers of the era particularly focused on productive power. All of these criteria were considered indicators of progress. At the same time, there were theories of regression, proving that technical improvement stimulates spiritual decline. The most prominent supporter of this idea is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in whose works the idea of ​​the corruption of the individual by civilization is a refrain.

Changes: what?

Historical processes and types of social dynamics allow us to talk about two characteristic groups of changes:

• evolution;
• revolution.

Evolution is usually understood as gradual improvements reflected by quantitative indicators. This is not synonymous with reforms that do not affect the foundations of the current structure. Evolution is the opposite of revolution (like reform, but in other aspects). The main feature of this type of social dynamics is gradualism.

Revolution is a type of social improvement when the changes are deep and qualitative. Development is undergoing a sharp upward leap. The concept often characterizes society as a single community, but can also be applied to specific elements. From history we know, for example, agricultural, cultural, scientific revolution. The first one belongs to society as a single object, the second two terms describe social elements.

Models of change

Philosophers and sociologists have formulated several models that reflect the features of the above four types of social dynamics. When modeling, attention is paid to revolutionary changes, the progression of society, its elements and aspects. The author of the model formulates his opinion as to whether the story has a goal; if the decision is positive, he also communicates his view of what is the final object of aspiration.

One of the fairly well-known and popular models is formational. The authors based it on the sayings of Karl Marx. The postulates derived from the modeling establish that individuals are in production relations with each other, forming a complex economic system. In combination with modern presentation about the type of social dynamics we can deduce why the image of individuals and society as a whole is exactly the way we observe it. Economic basis- this is the foundation of such a view; legal postulates, ideas, theoretical aspects, moral theories of Marxism.

Formations of society, economy

As follows from Marxism, social history is subject to the conditions of the economy and material situation. Based on specific conditions, five basic formations can be distinguished:

• primitive community;
• slavery;
• feudal structure;
• capitalist society;
• communism.

Progress is observed with a sequential transition between these formations. The main goal of such a society is to achieve a state of equality and the absence of classes.

How does this happen?

Marxism declares that formations can change only in the presence of acutely expressed processes of struggle between the oppressed and the oppressors. This means that slaves must rebel against their owners, peasants against feudal lords, workers against capitalists. To eliminate feudalism, society needed a revolution; as a result of a similar event, communism should come to power, as follows from theoretical provisions. Marxists are firmly convinced that the working class is capable of completely eradicating the bourgeois community, for which it is only necessary to raise a powerful revolutionary wave.

The opposite of formation is civilization. This term has many meanings, but there are three key ones:

• time stage of development of society;
• local type of society, culture;
• stage of cultural progress, opposite to savagery, barbarians.

When they talk about stages, local modeling, they mean the first two meanings of the term.

Toffler's positions

Born in 1928, this sociologist became an extremely important thinker - many theories of modern sociology are based on the postulates he formulated. Particularly interesting are his calculations related to the agrarian revolution. As follows from the assumptions made, it was she who created our civilization with all its attributes and traditions, characteristic features. But the industrial one is based on an economy using machines and automatic machines. Its main engine is mass culture.

Toffler also considered modernization - with this term he characterized the change of culture to industrial. However, you need to be careful: in the works of other sociologists this word is sometimes used to denote the transition to a post-industrial community. But according to Toffler, post-industrial is the third wave that is just taking over our world at the present time. Some thinkers and sociologists call it informational. There is nothing surprising in the terminology, because in many ways our civilization was created precisely by computer progress, access to high-precision electronic machines, mass communications. Biological technologies, the possibilities of genetic engineering - all this is changing social culture.

Modernity: being on the crest of a wave

Not so long ago the main driving force was muscular. Although machine labor gradually entered the life of society, at first its influence was quite insignificant. Nowadays, the main human activity is mental employment and solving information problems. In conditions of such social improvement, the most significant value became information. Under its influence, educational, educational systems, the very nature of work.

Information in relation to the economy can easily be called the most actively developing sector. It dominates politics; the pace of development has long exceeded that of spiritual processes. Not last role the possibility of communication between people plays a role in this, regardless of geographical location. The main tool, of course, is the World Wide Web.

McLuhan: theories of the middle of the last century

The Canadian philosopher (b. 1911) believed that organization human community determined by communication technologies, methods and types. For example, when it came to the tribal structure, oral communication was practiced, limiting locality, the presence of strong traditions, authority and faith in it. Over time, an alphabet appeared, which made it possible to move to a culture of vision. More greater development it was obtained when mankind invented machines for printing text. Mass production has become possible, the use of standardization approaches has become possible, people are now able to use various mechanisms.

Our era is, as McLuhan said, an electronic civilization. The boundaries that were previously present between people are becoming a thing of the past. Space and time are no longer of serious complexity; individuals can be much more closer friend to friend. Books are giving way to audio, visual products, and culture generated by computers and quite similar to the tribal structure of society. As McLuhan believed, our future is one in which there is no longer any division into nations, countries, in a word, no borders.

Sociology according to Danilevsky

A significant contribution to philosophy and science that examines processes in society was made by the Russian figure Danilevsky, who lived in the nineteenth century. He spoke about ten types of development of culture and history, distinguishing them by powers and nations:

• Egypt.
• China.
• Babylon, Assyria, Phenicia.
• India.
• Iran.
• Greece.
• Arabia.
• Europe.
• Jewish type of civilization.

He compared each of them with biological organisms who are forced to fight with their environment and competitors. The life activity of civilization is a sequence of classical stages: creation, development, aging, dying.

Danilevsky and Spengler

The German Oswald Spengler, born at the end of the nineteenth century and working in the first third of the twentieth, expressed ideas that were in many ways close to the theories of the Russian philosopher. He did not believe that a universal human culture was really possible, and he assessed history as a constant struggle between different civilizations, each of which has about a millennium for its entire life cycle. Flourishing always leads to crisis and destruction, and creativity is replaced by soullessness. At some point, a culture boasts of wealth, but it gives way to formality.

Maturity, as Spengler believed, was achieved by the cultures of Egypt, India, Babylon, China, the Greeks and Romans, Byzantium, Western Europe and Maya. Spengler's ideas were actively developed in the twentieth century by the Englishman Toynbee, who divided civilization into five cultural types: West, Orthodoxy, Islam, Hinduism, Far East. Each of the listed types was, in his opinion, a vital impulse caused by historical crises. As soon as the energy impulse exhausts itself, the death of civilization is observed. According to Toynbee, the crisis situation can be overcome by trying to move away from local values ​​to a higher global level. The thinker believed that world values ​​are most fully expressed through religion.