Is westernisation modernity? -Lubna Rama

We use the technology from the west yet resist progressive ideas that can bring about a positive change and steer us towards progress. We could even retain our values and our culture and yet be modern. The first step towards that is the 'thought'Westernisation and modernity are often confused. If we delve deep into history, they do have a strong connection. Here I would discuss both - the mechanisation of human life and the thought behind mechanisation or modernity, and whether it is possible to be modern without being westernised. The Industrial Revolution (towards the end of the 18th century) changed the face of the world. It not only brought about a drastic change in the way people lived - automobiles, trains, planes, telegraph and telecommunication - it stabilised the world economy (read the west). Whereas before it took weeks, months and sometimes years to travel from one place, city or country to another, it was now a matter of hours.Is it possible to be modern and not be westernised? What does 'being westernised' mean? Generally, whoever wears western clothes, listens to western pop music, speaks in a certain accent, prefers burgers to seekh kebabs is considered to be 'westernised' in Pakistan. Teenagers have a tough time dealing with conservative parents. Liberal parents have a tough time dealing with the largely conservative society. Is westernisation bad?Actually when we talk of copying the west and going wayward, this is not hundred percent untrue. What we take from the west are superficial values, which certainly does not mean that the west is superficial. Indeed, clothes and food do not come in the parameters of modernity. Trends tend to branch out from something more solid. The solid basis of modernity did originate from the west. The Industrial Revolution began in Europe. What is important, in my view, is the thought behind modernity. Philosophically speaking, planes, trains and cars, for example, are not really planes, trains and cars, but 'ideas'. Someone in the west thought one day that life is difficult: there are no easy means of communication, no proper cures to dangerous diseases, no means of social and economic progress. Hence the ideas emerged and research began, which eventually resulted in the Industrial Revolution.Indeed, Pakistan over the years has had major cosmetic changes. The roads and bridges are as modern as anywhere in the developed countries, the shopping malls have mushroomed in all upscale town centres, the Kentucky colonel and Mr Mc Donald peep out from every nook and corner, all banks and private companies are computerised; sadly all this is superficial and limited to rich parts of the cities. This is where confusion creeps in, for this is not modernity. If we truly want to be modern, we should be more open to new ideas, no matter where they come from. We use the technology from the west yet resist progressive ideas that can bring about a positive change and steer us towards progress. We could even retain our values and our culture and yet be modern. The first step towards that is the 'thought'. A person can be clad in the most expensive French suit, drive a German car, smoke a Cuban cigar, globetrot on a regular basis, but if the mind is rusty, narrow and bigoted, then such a person cannot be called modern. Pakistan's story is similar to such a person.The only way we could retain our own 'identity' and yet be modern is through thought. Modern thought to me means thinking out of the box: look forward rather than backwards, peel off the garb of religiosity that creates nothing but resentment, welcome scientific advancements, ask questions. Timid acceptance of primitive ways of thinking (thinking that resists progress in the worldly sense) hinders progress.Democracy, for example, is a western concept. It has worked successfully in developed countries. Why is democracy not working in Pakistan? Is it the feudal system, the military, or the establishment that create hurdles in the continuation of the democratic process here? Is it possible that great minds get together and create an indigenous political system here? Democracy flourishes when the masses are literate. It is possible to create a system that is viable in our situation: democracy can wait till we are all literate. Modernity means moulding things according to our cultural, social and religious values. Prolonged military rule has taken us hundreds of years back. There must be a better solution when politicians bungle.The dichotomy in the way man thinks is universal. The US, for example, is the champion of human rights, justice and equality. Their scientists are working round the clock to find cures for all kinds of strange diseases, space research has reached new heights, and technology has made life far too comfortable. But is the same country not the largest manufacturer of arms and ammunition? It has also waged wars on the two most wretched countries in the world. The most arduous task in today's world is to create balance. To strive towards that is also modernity.It sounds almost like a cliché but Pakistan's tragedy is its political instability. While the world was moving forward at a great pace, Pakistan was rapidly falling deeper and deeper into an abyss of primitive mindsets. Modernity was confused with 'westernisation', and all modern thinking was termed either too westernised or anti-Islam. Sadly, Ziaul Haq used the card of Islam to prolong his ruthless rule, but he succeeded in creating elements that not only resisted modern thought, they were a danger to the entire world. Is religion that is being practiced and propagated by such elements compatible with modernity?One often hears of 'modern warfare', 'the new age of terrorism', 'modern battles and war strategies'. Modern here probably means the present times, but certainly not modernity. We need to understand and differentiate between the superficial aspects of westernisation and the truly modern aspects of western culture. If they could change the world a couple of centuries ago, so can we. By finely kneading western virtues with eastern values, we may perhaps be on our way to modernity.
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