Museum in negative discourse of modernization

Abstract

The purpose of the article. To find out the role of the museum in the negative discourse of modernization. Methodology. Deductive logic when checking out the premises, which lay on the basis conclusion, that the concept of modernization denotes negative social phenomena. Scientific novelty. It has been found out that the discourse of negative modernization includes the substitution of concepts: the notion of modernization is marked by pseudo-modernization processes. Within this discourse, the museum itself appears as an object of pseudo-modernization. Conclusions. The concept of «modernization» is ambiguous. On the one hand, modernization refers to utopian social projects of rebuilding of the entire society (the largest among them was the Soviet one). Thus, in practice, we have seeing fragmentary reorganization with unexpected negative consequences, in particular, with trends towards degradation. All this, in fact, is pseudo-modernization. The concept of «modernization» also refers to a gradual move forward based on trials and errors when innovations undergo comprehensive testing and verification, while traditionalist tendencies are also strong. In this case, true modernization is the evolutionary development of civilization, when modern project don’t build in empty place, but creatively re-think and improve the historical and cultural achievements. It is unacceptable to combine utopian and piecemeal engineering (Popper's terminology) in one concept. Transformation museums into a hub, coworking, etc. is example of utopian engineering. But if we lay on basis concept of modernization regarded to piecemeal engineering, we saving museums from destroying, and these institutions can be a good tools for positive modernization of society.