'In the 1990s a new paradigm emerged in sociology to conceptualize the contemporary world: the concept of multiple modernities. The protagonists of the new paradigm share a number of key assumptions about the modern world, as well as a common aversion against the modernization theory of the 1950s and 1960s which they claim provides an oversimplified, empirically incorrect and normatively questionable view of this world. The main point of contention is the theory's premise that modernization is a homogenizing process, ultimately leading to the convergence of the societies undergoing it; another its alleged proclivity to equate one particular variant of modernity - that of "the" West or, narrower still, North America - with modernity itself. Against both views, the critics emphasize modern societies' diversity. Not only are there, according to these critics, several paths to modernity, but different historical trajectories and socio-cultural backgrounds also give rise to highly distinct forms of modernity in different parts of the world. In fact, even Europe itself, where it all began, exhibits a great deal of cultural and institutional diversity. But is that really a new insight - and if it is, does it justify to speak of modernity in the plural? If yes, then how much diversity (of what kind and profundity) must exist to do so? What makes some (and which) differences social theoretically more significant than others? And what are the future prospects of whichever differences may presently exist among different societies, world regions, civilizations? Are they more likely to persist, to withstand further social change ("globalization"), perhaps even to deepen as a result of (resistance to) it, or do we have reason to expect that they will diminish in the long run? Finally, how do we deal with empirical observations of actual homogenization processes going hand in hand with the modernization of societies - such as the isomorphism of institutions claimed to be a worldwide trend by the world polity approach of John Meyer; the streamlining of economic policies around the world noted by many economists; the growing convergence of everyday cultural dispositions found by studies based on Ronald Inglehart's World Values Survey; or common patterns of demographic and behavioral change seen in all societies undergoing thorough modernization? These are some of the questions we wish to discuss in this session. If you wish to present a paper, please send an abstract of no more than one page to Volker Schmidt: socvhs@nus.edu.sg.