Discuss the importance of modernity. Why is modernity important to sociologists?

A key concept
within sociology is recognizing the interplay between individual agency and social or other
macro-level forces. While many see the course of history as shaped by individuals making
choices, sociologist are mindful of the fact that the way in which individuals are taught to
make choices is due to social processes. And which individuals can rise to positions of power
where their choices can affect the course of history is again due to social forces.

Sociologists can then note that the course of history is not driven by "great
men" but by technological, ecological, epidemic, and other forces that shape the social
landscape within which individuals historical actors make their choices.

Due
to this framework, sociologists have great reason to be interested in working to identify key
characteristics of a historical era. Many, for example, identify modernity with a breakdown in
trust in religion, a strong belief in rationality, a tendency towards bureaucracy, etc.
Modernity...