Lerner’s description of Balgat changing over time, as well as the conclusions he draws about the “positive” effects that modernity seems to have had on the village, suggests Lerner’s belief in a universal definition of progress. For Lerner, “progress” is inextricably tied to technological improvements, and a movement towards industrialization. When he returns to Balgat, he is excited by the emergence of public transportation, and more technical jobs, which have replaced farming. This replacement of farming, however, has noticeable consequences on villagers’ employment. Lerner does not explore the possibility that the majority of people in Balgat may have been content without these changes. However, he also offers evidence of many villagers’ willingness to accept change. The last Muhtar says that he is “happy” to have seen Balgat “end its history in this way that we are going” (55). The Muhtar, in addition to the Chief and his two sons, provide examples of people who seem to have accepted their position of passivity in a world changing around them. The Chief in particular expresses great resiliency in the face of modernization and hope for his posterity. Nonetheless, Lerner’s selection of these details, personal accounts, and reactions all point to an effort to paint modernization in a universally positive light. “Progress”, for Lerner, is a departure from manual labor, and lack of technology, and an embrace of technological “improvement.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lerner’s description of Balgat changing over time, as well as the conclusions he draws about the “positive” effects that modernity seems to have had on the village, suggests Lerner’s belief in a universal definition of progress. For Lerner, “progress” is … Continue reading