Industrial Societies
Industrial societies are characterized by there use of machines rather than animals (including
human) for power. The planet's first industrial society was England about 280 years ago.
Size and density of industrial societies is far greater than in previous societies. The society's
population can number in the millions with hundreds of people per square mile. Population size
begins to stabilize as birth rates drop.
Mobility and settlements - For the first time, the majority of people live in urban rather than
rural settings.
Social Institutions
- The Family is still the major for care and socialization of children. The Family's production
functions are dramatically diminished as they are transferred to businesses and corporations.
- The Economy tends to be a form of capitalism with corporate capitalism dominating in later
stages. The family is no longer the primary economic unit.
- Religion remains a powerful institution. While science has taken over the primary function of
"explaining" how the natural world works, church membership in the U.S., increased steadily
from 17% in the 1700's to over 63% in the 1990's. While churches cannot directly imprison
people or put them in stockades for violating church rules, violations of religious doctrines
(e.g., unapproved drugs & sex) are still the primary reasons for imprisoning citizens.
- Science becomes a major institution. Technology increases and spreads to all aspects of
society. Social change increases at a faster rate.
- Politics is based on democratic forms of government.
- Education is a major institution. It is required not optional. Children must spend a major
portion of their time in school. Parents and children can be imprisoned for not attending.
- Warfare still constant.
Stratification lessens in late industrial. Achievement becomes more important as family name
and other types of ascribed statuses become somewhat less important.
Other - There are major improvements in transportation and communications with corresponding
increases in trade and production. There is a heavy reliance on technology.
Go to Hunting & gathering, Horticultural, Pastoral, Agricultural, or Post industrial societies.
Go to primer topics.
For further reading I suggest: Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology by Gerhard
Lenski, Jean Lenski and Patrick Nolan. McGraw-Hill, Inc.