
Philosophy Faculty Publications
Generational Imbalance and Disruptive Change
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 2002
Publication Source
International Journal of Applied Philosophy
Abstract
According to most scholars, what defines modernity is the prevalence of change and mobility in all aspects of life, as opposed to traditionality in which immobility of beliefs and statuses is said to be the dominant trait. One major implication of this definition is the conclusion that the occurrence of modernity involves generational conflicts on the grounds that older people are less open to innovation and change. This paradigm of modernity has led to the exclusion of elders from political life in Third World countries, especially in those countries that opted for a revolutionary course. In light of traditional views of old age and recent gerontological findings, this paper examines the validity of the assumption according to which younger leadership is best equipped to achieve modernity in developing countries. It finds out that both factual and theoretical considerations underline that integration as much as deviation defines positive change and that the failure of generational interaction results in detrimental outcomes.
Inclusive pages
223-248
ISBN/ISSN
0739-098X
Copyright
Copyright © 2002, International Journal of Applied Philosophy
Publisher
Philosophy Documentation Center
Volume
16
Issue
2
Peer Reviewed
yes
eCommons Citation
Kebede, Messay, "Generational Imbalance and Disruptive Change" (2002). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 37.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/phl_fac_pub/37
COinS
Comments
Permission documentation is on file.