Literature Review on Secularization and Individualization Processes

This literature review examines the concepts of secularization and individualization within the framework of modernity, as explored in the SOC10012 course. It begins by defining modernity and the shift to postmodernity, highlighting the impact of social changes. The review focuses on individualization, as defined by Sørensen and Christiansen, and its relationship to neoliberalism and the rise of individualism after industrialization. It references Ulrich Beck's perspective on individual responsibility and the contradictory nature of individualism, especially for women. The review also addresses secularization, discussing its impact on European society and the measurement of religious belonging, behavior, and the political influence of religious organizations. The review also considers the arguments for and against secularization, and the roles of industrialization and urbanization in these processes, including references to key scholars like Habermas, Halman, and Mythen. This literature review offers a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Running head: SECULARIZATION & INDIVIDUALIZATION
SECULARIZATION & INDIVIDUALIZATION
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Literature review:
The term modernity as it was used in the classical sociological theory has its meaning and
significance rooted in the social change that occurred in Europe in the latter half of the 19th
century. It was precisely the changes that took place in the field of art, literature, technology and
politics. Although there are no specific dates that mark the postmodern era, it is significantly
known to be the changes since WWII. There have been several changes in different aspects of
society and the daily life of social being since postmodernity. Secularization and
individualization are two of the processes are modernization.
According to Sørensen and Christiansen (2014), individualization is a term that is
‘compulsory’ rather than being about genuine personal freedom. It is an integral part of self-hood
which is associated with the neoliberal order and disorder. The concept of individualism has
risen as a feature of modernity after the industrialization. According to Ulrich Beck, individuals
are compelled in this era to make agonistic choices throughout their life-course, and they are
needed to take sole responsibility for the consequences that come from the decisions they make
and the things they chose not to do. The phenomenon of individualism is a contradictory
phenomenon that is both exhilarating as well as terrifying. It is undoubtedly a feeling of freedom,
specifically for women. The phenomenon is especially for women, for it gives freedom from the
patriarchal control. However, even though it is seen to have a positive environment where people
have less interference in their lives from the other people f the society, it certainly lives people
solely blamed for the work they do and are penalized for it too (CAetAno 2014).
According to Mythen (2013), Beck has posited the second modernity with two types of
faith: one is a closed hierarchical system that is based on intractable principles, and another one

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is an open model driven by individualization and personal choice. Individualism has a relation
with the urbanization and the urban way of living. It makes society highly competitive and
relentlessly harsh. In the article reflecting faith, while considering the importance of religion in
the contemporary era, he perceives it as a concept that is fundamentally alien to ‘second
modernity’. Therefore, it is treated as an anachronism, which is a source of personal solace.
According to Halman and Van Ingen (2015), Secularization is the theory that mainly
affected European society and has been a topic of debate in the sociology of religion. This
specific process has been found repeatedly along and after the modernization. Be it receding
church attendance or the number of membership decreasing in churches or even decrease in
belief in God. There are mainly three indicators through which secularization can be measured
and perceived to be exiting in society. Religious belonging, religious behaviour, religious
behaviour and to some extent, the political influence of religious organization are the significant
characteristics of secularization. These are the features that manifest the decreasing relevance of
religion in society. This new pattern was noted in not only in Europe but also in the most
significant number of advanced societies worldwide.
However, there are arguments against the theory of secularization, where scholars hold
different perspectives. According to some scholar, religiosity and secularization are subjective,
and therefore, it is certainly difficult to measure (Habermas 2014).
As discussed above, the concept of individualization and secularization have gained
popularity postmodernity. The reasons traced to this phenomenon are industrialization, which
has led to urbanization. The growing industrialization has worked in a way that has pushed the
society towards the individualism, where people are more comfortable with their privacy rather

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than being with a collective group. Secularization is too is due to the decreasing interest in the
religion and in the belief in God that results from the acceptance of freedom.

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References:
CAetAno, A., 2014. Reflexivity and social change: A critical discussion of reflexive
modernization and individualization theses. Portuguese Journal of Social Science, 13(1), pp.93-
109.
Habermas, J., 2014. Religion and rationality: Essays on reason, God and modernity. John Wiley
& Sons.
Halman, L. and Van Ingen, E., 2015. Secularization and changing moral views: European trends
in church attendance and views on homosexuality, divorce, abortion, and euthanasia. European
Sociological Review, 31(5), pp.616-627.
Mythen, G., 2013. Ulrich Beck, cosmopolitanism and the individualization of religion. Theory,
Culture & Society, 30(3), pp.114-127.
Sørensen, M.P. and Christiansen, A., 2014. Ulrich Beck: an introduction to the theory of second
modernity and the risk society. In Ulrich Beck (pp. 7-13). Springer, Cham.