The Process of Modernization and the Change in Cultural and Social Values An Field Study in the Kurdistan Region

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to understand the impact of the modernization process on the change in social and cultural values in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the fields of culture, education, media, economy, and politics. The research problem revolves around identifying the extent of the changes caused by modernization. To achieve this goal, the descriptive method and the social survey method were utilized, and a sample of 400 research units was selected from all four governorates using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Three main measures (Modernization, Cultural Value, and Social Value) were used as data collection tools, and data analysis was performed via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed a statistically significant relationship between the main variables (Modernization, Cultural Value, and Social Value). It also found that modernization is sprouting rapidly in areas where individuals receive direct benefits and where an easier relationship is provided between institutions and citizens. Examples of these areas include: Media and the Internet, which provide rapid information; Education, which creates new opportunities; and Services, which improve the details of daily life. In general, this study attempts to answer the following main questions: Is it possible to analyze, evaluate and present the status of the modernization process in the Kurdistan Region? - Is it possible to understand and measure the level and extent of the impact of the modernization process on the change of social and cultural values?