This question touches upon an important debate in sociology regarding the relationship between modernity and cultural/religious practices: whether monism (uniformity) or pluralism (diversity) is the inevitable outcome of modernization.

Here’s a structured understanding:

🧠 Thesis Statement

Modernity does not have a singular, linear impact on cultural and religious practices. While some sociologists argue it leads to monism — a convergence towards a single rational or secular worldview, others believe it nurtures pluralism — coexistence of multiple, even contradictory worldviews and practices.

🧩 1. Modernity → Monism View

Main idea: Modernization leads to convergence — a single rational system replacing traditional beliefs.

📌 Sociologists/Thinkers:

• Karl Marx: Saw modernity (capitalism) as homogenizing, dissolving traditional relations.
• Max Weber (early phase): Talked about disenchantment of the world — rationalization replacing religious worldviews.
• Structural functionalists like Parsons: Viewed modern societies as moving towards universalistic, bureaucratic, and impersonal norms.
• Secularization theorists: Predicted religion would decline and rationality would dominate public and private life.

💡Implications:

• Shared global norms (e.g., capitalism, liberal democracy).
• Westernization/uniform legal systems and bureaucracies.
• Homogenization of education, institutions.

📌 Example:

• Spread of rational bureaucratic models in governance globally.
• English as a global language of business and academia.