Technological determinism is a reductionist theory that claims that the development of a society’s social structure and cultural values is dependent on the society’s technology. Karl Marx, who was one of the pioneers of technological determinism theorized that the primary influence of social relations was productive technology and that social relations were directly linked to a society’s economic base. Karl Marx’s assertion has become more relevant in the contemporary society where technological advancements affect all walks of life.
The convergence theory in technological determinism lays emphasis on the role of industrialization in the development of a society’s welfare. According to the convergence theory, the central objectives of a society are economic and industrial development, and the functional integration of the social structure is dependent on these core requirements. Industrialization induces a transformation in the nature of labor force. Self-employed people who experience uneven income are replaced by employers who enjoy a stable wage. This regular income due to industrial employment results in the reduction of unemployment, sickness and poverty.
Marshall McLuhan believed that the phonetic alphabet, the printing press and the telegram were the crucial inventions that would change life on earth. McLuhan, who was not recognized during his time has since become an eminent scholar owing to his prophesy. The phonetic alphabet instigated the age of literature, Gutenberg’s press spearheaded the Industrial Revolution and communication facilities have made the world a smaller place than ever before. McLuhan claimed that communication is the primary cause of cultural change and viewed innovation in media as an extension of human faculty. He further elucidated that, the tools we shape are the tools that shape us.
Works Cited
Mishra, Ramesh. “Society and Social Policy: Theoretical Perspectives on Welfare”,
Springer Link. 1977
Wood, Julia. “Communication Theories in Action: An Introduction”,
Wadsworth Publishing Company. 1997
