Social change and political adaptation in the third world : a case-study of the Philippines

Abstract

Countries of the Third World are identified with change perhaps more than with any other phenomenon. Many since World War II have experienced armed revolution as the path to 'independence' from imperial powers. In some instances, revolution has been followed by radical social change. Even more emphatic is the association of economic change with countries of the Third World. Changes of all kinds have been accompanied by diverse forms of political adaptation. The literature of sociology concerned with social change encompasses two paradigms with cont~asting perceptions of political adaptation to change. One of these postulates that social consensus is compatible with change. The other argues that change necessarily is accompanied by conflict. The present study seeks to evaluate these paradigms in terms of their relevance for empirical study of change in countries of the Third World. Show more