Discuss values and beliefs as a factor for social change.

2. Conflict between values and existing social conditions may also bring social change. Generally, some social problems have emerged out of the conflict between new and old values. This may bring about social change.

3. Change in values and beliefs take a long time to be realized. When changes take place in a community or in a society, they are noticed only partially. In some race cases these changes may bring changes in the whole society.

4. Karl Marx maintained that religion and its values have been resistant to change.

5. Max Weber has shown how religious values have influenced economic behaviour among the Hindus in India. The Hindus could not take progress in economic field by encouraging enterpreneurship and capitalism.

6. However, religion is not always a source of resistance to change in society. For instance, Max Weber urged that the Calvinist values of pre-destination and worldly asceticism have accelerated the social change by developing capitalism in Europe.

7. Growth and spread of secularism in India during the last few decades have brought considerable changes in religious practices, particularly, those relating to the practice of untouchability and inter-dinning among different caste groups. In this way, religious values may bring considerable social change in a society.