In Search of the Present Economy and Society Modernisation Concept (An Attempt to Explain the Main Problems)

The concept of modernisation is the most important concept of social sciences. Modernisation refers to evolutionary transformations of a traditional society into a modern one. The following stages of modernisation process can be distinguished: evolutionary modernisation, technocratic modernisation (based on comprehensive possibilities to implement new technologies into economy and society), and reflexive modernisation. The concept of technocratic modernisation idealizes the role of engineering and automation, and presently also of the computerization of society. The reflexive  modernisation, on the contrary, emphasizes critical evaluation of the present modernisation advancements; there are problems that have not been solved by the technocratic modernisation. The discourse on technocratic modernisation and reflexive modernisation is of great importance for Poland. In this country technocratic modernisation is still dominant, as there have been only modest successes in implementing sustainable development. However, the future of Poland depends on development of reflexive  modernisation throughout all the socio-economic domains.