The Modernization theory between Eurocentrism and Multiply Modernity.

The idea ofthe modern world's convergence was formed during the "Cold War period". The first linear theories of modernization were Europe-centeredand emphasized the priority of the Euro-American civilization's cultural, political and economical values. This tradition is based on the factthat Europeans and the people living in other parts of the world developed in genetically different ways. Eurocentrism was sustained by themilitary underdevelopment, traditionalism and subjected position of he "Third World's" countries in the colonial period, as well as by theabsence of endogenic scientific and technological progress in those regions and by their peripheral position in the capitalist world-system. Inthe political theories of the 1950s-1960s the European society was reported to be the objective leader of the society at that time due to itssocial mobility and psychological plasticity (L. White, G. Stuart, T. Parsons, S. Black and others). The development of eurocentrism led tothe emergence of the Westrenisation theory. For the first time borrowing European social institutes was considered as the main condition ofsuccessful development. In the meanwhile the introduction of western ideas, lifestyles and behaviour patterns led to the collapse of thetraditional way of life and mentality which were replaced by a complex of pro-western values, standards and social practices. In thefuturological prognoses of westernization it was marked that international division of labour, global economic integration, advancement ofliberal values etc. would lead to the unification of the global community and to the emergence of a "universal civilization". In the 1970spluralistic theories of modernization, which criticized westernization, appeared. S. Huntington urged the problem of the possibilities for deepintercultural borrowings between civilizations being limited. S. Eisenstadt described the varieties of contemporary modernizing societies andraised the question of preserving the national socio-cultural traditions. M. Levy criticized the conception of "catch-up development" on theideological, technological and economical dependence upon the West being a factor of preserving underdevelopment. At present mostresearchers mark that the modernization in the westernization mode, not based on the national traditions, would be incomplete, risky andfragmentary. In the modern conceptions the process of modernization is seen as subjectively multifactoral, historically invariable andreversible. Showing regional and civilizational features, it goes at different speed and intensity in different social subsystems and at differentstages of development. The "modernity type" of the society is considered to be a significant factor of development. This concept isinterpreted as the cultural, social and regional concept of modernization; a complex of the society and culture characteristic features andhistorical conditions which influence the general prerequisites, potential and perspectives of modernization.

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