Author：Huan Wansheng, Research Fellow, Harvard University

Abstract: To understand the modernization movement under a general background of globalization, serious retrospection of the so called modernity, including some ideas and institutions that have been commonly taken as norms and principles, is necessary. Modernity has been understood in many aspects from material perspectives, while spiritual direction and values have been seriously ignored. Globalization has brought in significant achievements. Nevertheless, along with the process of globalization, the threat of war has become nearer, the gap between rich and poor has been enlarged, destruction of environment is getting worse, and the improvement of governance turns out to be an empty talk. There is, however in such a situation, a shallow optimism about the future of humankind. If these problems can not be resolved, the globalization may lead to even larger catastrophes. Under a serious retrospection, we see that the principles of Capitalist marketing economy and democracy have been overstressed to absolute. As a result, over stimulated desires and consumerism become overwhelming. Wealth is in many situations viewed as a motivation for all actions and the sole value, which has taken all cultural and spiritual values to destruction. Human interpretation of economic activities has to be with full of humanity. Social capital and cultural capital are as important as material capital. Every people has its own unique cultural and traditional resources, that should be treated as the foundation of the growing human commonwealth and they may help people to find a way to walk away from the dilemma of the market-dominated human situation.

Key Words:Modernity modernization globalization marketing economy values culture