contemporary society
Contemporary society is characterised by at least three fundamental
directions:
·
increasing human
interconnection through a network of relationships that is
progressively covering the whole planet;
·
the pace and depth of the
evolution of human ways of life determined by technological innovation represent
an absolute novelty in human history;
·
the scale of anthropological and ecological transformation due to the
interaction between evolutionary factors (social, cultural, economic, and technological) has no historical
precedent.
Improvement of life conditions
The overall improvement
in life conditions and the role of technologies now available have contributed
to increase gross domestic product per capita by one and a half times in less than half a
century (1960–2005)
Life expectancy
In 1960,
the average life
expectancy of the world population was 50 years.
In
high-income countries life expectancy is now over 80 years, extending well
beyond the traditional length of working life, causing social and economic
problems.
Literacy and gender equality
Of great social
importance is the rapid growth of female school enrolment and the increasing
presence of women in the labour market.
Spread of communication technologies
The spread of
information and communication technologies (ICT) is remodelling the material
fundamentals of society. The sociologist Castells believes that these technologies have started a
revolution of the productive structures of society and of daily life.
Social tension and opposition to
change
As the speed of
social and cultural evolution sweeps away old life habits, religious beliefs,
ancestral moral convictions and radicated political opinions, the anxiety
towards a future that is mutating and unknown causes a cultural opposition that
is at the root of fundamentalism.
Breakdown of natural equilibria
Demographic and
economic development is endangering our current forms of civilization and
social co-living and our future ability to inhabit our planet.
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