Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Modernization refers to the process by which societies undergo social change characterized by industrialization, urbanization, technological advancements, secularism, rationality, individualism, among other factors associated with modernity.
Related terms
Industrial Revolution: A period of rapid industrialization that transformed societies from agrarian-based economies to ones centered around manufacturing and mechanization.
Urbanization: The process of population concentration in urban areas, leading to the growth of cities and changes in social structures.
Secularism: The separation of religious institutions from the state, emphasizing a focus on worldly matters rather than religious authority.