Sociology and the functions of technological autonomy

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the sociology of technology. It reviews different arguments about the sociology of technology and examines the path to social change. After reviewing those classical and contemporary theories which define the impact of technological processes, this paper explores the effects of society on technology and suggests that technological change derives from different societal traditions and as such accumulates and reflects social processes and cultures. It is argued that these views could build the basis for the analysis of social conflicts in industrialized countries.