Scholars in both the West and the East primarily agree that modernization started with the industrial revolution in the 19th century, and the relevant researches appeared in 1950s. In the process of modernization, reflections have never ceased to be, with critical theories and ideological trend about ＂modernity＂ and ＂modernism＂ emerging from time to time. However, when modernization is contemplated from another perspective, it could be seen that different countries started modernization at different times in different modes, and hence the distinct modernization concepts in different countries. As the birthplace of modernization, western countries have been confronted with the rational critique in relation to modernity. Countries that started modernization late are not only confronted with the problems mentioned above, but also have to face the choice of westernizing or maintaining their own traditions. A discrimination of modernization concepts does not only involve a concern of history, but also involve a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental social values and the solicitude for the development of the country and the society.%中西方学者基本认同“现代化”开始于19世纪的工业革命，对“现代化”的研究则出现在20世纪50年代以后。在现代化过程中，对于“现代化”的反思就一直存在，出现了关于“现代性”、“现代主义”的批判理论和思潮。从另一个角度来审视“现代化”可发现，由于这个过程在各个国家开始的时间、方式不同，就造成了各国的现代化理念也不同。西方国家作为现代化的原发地面临现代性所提出的理性批判，而后发现代化国家不仅面临上述问题，还面临如何在“西化”和“传统”中取舍问题。对现代化理论的辨析，不仅关涉历史，更重要的是对社会基本价值的理解、对国家和社会发展的关怀。
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