Inkeles's Modern Men: Characteristics

Alex Inkeles proposed a pattern of characteristics associated with 'modern men', based on his research into social change and individual modernity.

Included Characteristics

According to Inkeles's model, key traits of a modern man include:

• Openness to new experiences: Willingness to try new things and ideas.
• Freedom from traditional authority: Independence from rigid, inherited social structures and leaders.
• Belief in science and technology: Trust in rational and empirical approaches to understanding the world.
• A sense of personal efficacy: Belief in one's ability to influence events and outcomes.
• Aspiration for social mobility: Desire to improve one's social and economic standing.
• Interest in civic and political participation: Engagement with the wider community and political processes.

Excluded Trait

The stable pattern formulated by Alex Inkeles does not include the rejection of activities in civil politics. Instead, his model suggests modern individuals are typically more aware of and potentially engaged in civic life, rather than actively rejecting it.