Rising Expectations

In society we value the knowledge of knowing what everyday is going to be like. We like things to stay relatively the same because we fear the unknown. That is why in reading all of the chapters of our Sociology book the one that I found to be most interesting was the last one on social change. Most specifically, I found the idea of Rising Expectations leading to social change fascinating.

Because people value the knowledge of knowing what they can expect in life it is difficult for society to change. That’s why one of the actions that can lead to social change is Rising Expectations. The idea behind this theory is that when people who are disadvantaged don’t see change for an extended period of time they come to the conclusion that here will never be change. But when they do experience small change for the better they have heightened expectations and want more. In the 1980’s this happened in China when the Chinese government gave the citizens more freedom. After that they people began to openly revolt against the government that over time liberalized China.

http://www.units.muohio.edu/havighurstcenter/themes/1989/1989China.html

There are two reasons why I find this concept to be interesting.  The first is that people are never satisfied with what they have. This theory expresses this perfectly; when people are given improved conditions they want more. People aren't able to be content with what they have, even if it is enough. The second reason why I find this theory interesting is the power of knowledge. When people know that they can have more they are willing to fight for it. Not knowing what it is like to live a good life can cause a person living in oppressive conditions to become content with what they have. They fear what a better life might bring them and it keeps them from striving for more. I think a good example of this is the people of North Korea. The people they live a life in which they have no control over anything. They aren’t allowed to leave the country and live in very bad conditions and are content with it. I think that it would be very interesting to see what would happen if there conditions improved or they were freed.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/15/world/asia/north-korea-us-talks

The idea of change is a very scary thought because of what it brings along with it. Knowledge is a very powerful thing because it keeps our lives easy and familiar. But change is good and change is needed for society to make progress and that is why people are willing to fight for it when they know what it can bring.