Economic, Social, and Cultural Changes 1990–2005

Abstract

Like all modern societies, Japan is changing as globalisation and technological innovation proceed. Increasing economic and cultural integration leaves the nation state exposed to strong impulses for change. However, societies are characterised by institutional inertia. Social change is usually about very gradual and slow processes. This is especially true regarding the cultural sphere. Marx was probably right in distinguishing the socio-cultural system by two concepts: social lag and adaptation. By applying these concepts he argued that the most important engine for social change (in capitalist societies) is economic competition in the marketplace which, in turn, generates continuous technological innovation. Social and cultural patterns have their own relative autonomy, but will in general be heavily influenced by material and economic processes. As a consequence, social and cultural life will to a large extent be dependent on (have to adapt to, but with a time lag) what happens in the economy. This creates a tension between two rationalities, where values like flexibility and instrumental rationality (within the economic system) will be confronted by contradictory values like stability and tradition (within the socio-cultural system).KeywordsLabour MarketJapanese SocietyCultural ChangeDivorce RateMoral EducationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.