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(a) Technology Development and Social Change.
(b) Social Audit.
Ans: Imagine a small village in India fifty years ago. People wrote letters that took weeks to
reach, farmers relied on bullock carts, and children studied under lanterns. Fast forward to
today: the same village has smartphones, tractors, solar panels, and online classes. Life has
transformed dramatically. What caused this change? Technology.
Technology is not just about machines—it is about how society itself evolves. Every new
invention changes the way we live, work, and think. At the same time, as businesses and
governments grow, society demands accountability. People want to know: Are resources
being used fairly? Are promises being kept? This is where the concept of a Social Audit
comes in.
So, in this note, we will explore two powerful ideas:
1. Technology Development and Social Change – how inventions shape society.
2. Social Audit – how society checks whether organizations are acting responsibly.
Part (a): Technology Development and Social Change
Meaning
Technology development refers to the creation and improvement of tools, machines,
systems, and processes that make human life easier and more efficient. Social change
means the transformation in the structure, behavior, and values of society over time.
When technology develops, society changes. And when society changes, it demands new
technologies. This is a continuous cycle.
Historical Examples of Technology Driving Social Change
1. The Wheel:
o One of the earliest inventions.
o Changed transport, trade, and agriculture.
o Led to the growth of civilizations.
2. Printing Press (15th Century):
o Invented by Gutenberg.
o Spread knowledge, literacy, and ideas.
o Sparked the Renaissance and Reformation.
3. Industrial Revolution (18th–19th Century):
o Steam engines, factories, railways.
o Shift from agriculture to industry.
o Urbanization and rise of working class.
4. Electricity and Communication:
o Telegraph, telephone, and later the internet.
o Connected people across distances.