Weber’s rationalization theory defines modernization as differentiation plus instrumental rationality

Evidence

Weber’s theory of rationalization — perhaps the centrepiece of non-Marxist social theory - provided the most important single account of the constitution of modernity. Modernization involves, in the first place, the differentiation of originally unitary social practices, in particular, of the capitalist economy and the modern state. ‘Only in Western societies’, Habermas writes, ‘does the differentiation of these two, complementarily interrelated subsystems lead so far that mod­ ernization can distinguish itself from its initial constellation and continue in a self-regulating way.’ Secondly, this process of dif­ ferentiation involves the institutionalization of a specific kind of action, what Weber calls purposive-rational {zweckrational), or instrumentally rational action, which is oriented to selecting the most effective means to achieving some pregiven goal. — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 153

Categorization

• DEFINE: A clear, compact statement of Weber’s core definition of modernization as differentiation and instrumental rationalization.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 153
• XREF: connects to: Modernization shifts understanding from inherited tradition to risky rational agreement — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 390; Classical social theory defined modernity by the application of scientific rationality over tradition — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 151; Weber’s rationalization is fundamentally an acceleration of means-ends efficiency. — Hartmut Rosa, Social Acceleration: A New Theory of…, 197

Broader Connections

• Classical social theory defined modernity by the application of scientific rationality over tradition #corroborates (0.85) — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 151
• Modernization shifts understanding from inherited tradition to risky rational agreement #expands (0.82) — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 390