Features of Social and Economic Transformations in the Globalization Era

Abstract

JEL Classification Codes: F60, F63, 035, 044 1. Introduction The notion of transformation (from Latin) means conversion, modification. One should take account that transformation can introduce both rather positive and negative, crisis features of destructive type social changes. It has been known that changes are integral attribute of any normally developing society. At the same time social transformation represents a wide spectrum of social phenomena, starting from insignificant changes (in the organization, management, force balance inside production sphere, reforms in some social systems), finishing full-scale fundamental changes in the social sphere itself. Fundamental transformations in the social systems result from the processes of modern globalization, which are basis for colossal changes actually in all systems of the social relations in the nearest and distant future of the mankind. In modern scientific literature there are three main approaches in the discourse of Global Studies: revolutionary, developed by K. Ohmae, R. Keohane, J. Nye and others. These authors welcome the processes of economy's denationalization, development of trade and production nets among countries as well as transnational financial links. These authors insist on very positive consequences of globalization. But there are others (E. Giddens, J. Rosenau), who develop so called evolutionary approach in which different countries will adapt to global processes gradually, difficultly, but in the whole positive for the world social integrity. It is necessary to mention the skeptics who see mainly negative consequences. Ch. Kegley, E. Vittkopf are among those. (Hopefully they are minority). But all the authors agree that the inevitable globalization will expose the society to the complex transformations and simultaneously will create the conditions for new social systems. Obviously when speaking about transformations of the systemic type as a rule an extremely complex set of factors transforming the whole spectrum of social conditions is usually meant. This article is concentrated on only some features of social and economic transformations, which, in our opinion, are fundamental. 2. Theoretical, Informational and Empirical, and Methodological Grounds of the Research First of all it should be mentioned that modern planetary society is not just a conglomerate of different social organisms. Modern society most probably is the result of historical formation of very complex in their interaction and intersection of social systems. On this background transformation may differ greatly depending on the type of society where they occur. The Western social systems, which underwent modernist changes, are the result of long-lasting co-evolution, i.e. the process of interaction and mutual influence of different social changes on each other which resulted in comparatively moderate pace of social development (Thalassinos et al., 2015). This temporary regime allowed introducing the processes of social transformations gradually for four-five centuries (the period of capitalistic system formation). In the course of these transformations economic and political innovations were growing into life, that made this process necessary for every next generation and fixed it on the mental level as well. In other words according to V. Kollontay, the model of evolutionary social transformations was realized in the Western countries. In the course of its development it was becoming more open, perceptive to efforts to regulate it and manage as well as more predictable for prospective transformations. Currently the relations of the EU countries obey to the new processes of co-evolution. It is clear that this process is far from being completed as it has deep contradictions connected with the necessity of integration as one of the manifestations of globalization, on the one hand, and rather complex process of adaptation of the countries to each other, on the other. …