Technology and Social Change

IN SETTING FORTH the state of development of the study of the influence of technology in producing social changes, we shall divide the subject into three main topics: (1) what has been accomplished in this field thus far; (2) what, looking toward the future, needs to be accomplished, including specific suggestions for research; and (3) brief comment concerning methodology for research on this subject. Inasmuch as the study of social change itself constitutes a subfield of sociology, the study of technological influence upon social change is usually assumed to lie within the discipline of sociology. Indeed, courses bearing the title Technology and Social Change are invariably placed within the sociology curriculum. But many economists, anthropologists, historians, and other social scientists are also interested in this subject, and the precise label of a social scientist is not a matter of primary consequence when attention is focused upon a subject of common interest. Nor should our viewpoint be so narrow as to exclude physical scientists and engineers; they often are interested in the social effects of their creations. We hold to the principle that the gulf that seemingly separates technologists and social scientists would best be reduced or eliminated. Hence this article is addressed not only to sociologists but to all who are concerned with the social effects of technological productions

Current (fluid) · Economic growth · Economics · Electrical engineering · Political science · Social change · Engineering · Social Media and Politics

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