This paper articulates new perspectives and integrates existing frameworks on cultural change from the point of view of Twenty-first century anthropology. This paper also identifies the key drivers of cultural change across epochs and investigates the mechanics of cultural change, and our proposed approaches towards cultural change (characterized by Activism which we believe is an adjunct for the globalisation of the field) are intertwined with our core philosophy of Neo-centrism which is intended to be used in a wide variety of domains. The approaches that we adumbrate, bear some resemblance to ‘The Theory of Linguistic Osmosis’ as propounded in an earlier paper, may be referred to as ‘Cultural Osmosis’, and as such are opposed to more simplistic theories of Cultural Change. We refer to this approach as the “Proactive-interactive-symbiotic approach to long-term cultural change”. This eventually leads to what cultural anthropologists refer to Cultural integration in some form with different cultures retaining their own characteristics. The ethics and the pros and cons of activism are also explored, along with their role in ensuring the long-term survivability of civilization, their ability to foster cultural symbiosis, and extirpate other outmoded approaches. This paper also introduces concepts such as Manumittology and Manumittonomics as a part of the Neo-centrist framework, and the ‘Theory of Mindspace’ as well. These approaches are expected to integrate with Applied Anthropology and Developmental Anthropology take them to greater heights.
Rao Mandavilli, S. (2021). Articulating comprehensive frameworks on socio-cultural change: Perceptions of social and cultural change in contemporary Twenty-first century Anthropology from a ‘Neo-centrist’ perspectiv. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/articulating-comprehensive-frameworks-on-socio-cultural-change-perceptions-of-social-and-cultural-change-in-contemporary-twenty-first-century-anthropology-from-a-neo-centrist-perspective
Rao Mandavilli, Sujay "Articulating comprehensive frameworks on socio-cultural change: Perceptions of social and cultural change in contemporary Twenty-first century Anthropology from a ‘Neo-centrist’ perspectiv" Afribary. Afribary, 18 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/articulating-comprehensive-frameworks-on-socio-cultural-change-perceptions-of-social-and-cultural-change-in-contemporary-twenty-first-century-anthropology-from-a-neo-centrist-perspective. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Rao Mandavilli, Sujay . "Articulating comprehensive frameworks on socio-cultural change: Perceptions of social and cultural change in contemporary Twenty-first century Anthropology from a ‘Neo-centrist’ perspectiv". Afribary, Afribary, 18 May. 2021. Web. 11 Jul. 2025. < https://afribary.com/works/articulating-comprehensive-frameworks-on-socio-cultural-change-perceptions-of-social-and-cultural-change-in-contemporary-twenty-first-century-anthropology-from-a-neo-centrist-perspective >.
Rao Mandavilli, Sujay . "Articulating comprehensive frameworks on socio-cultural change: Perceptions of social and cultural change in contemporary Twenty-first century Anthropology from a ‘Neo-centrist’ perspectiv" Afribary (2021). Accessed July 11, 2025. https://afribary.com/works/articulating-comprehensive-frameworks-on-socio-cultural-change-perceptions-of-social-and-cultural-change-in-contemporary-twenty-first-century-anthropology-from-a-neo-centrist-perspective