Is modernization a world-wide trend?

Yes. Using the definitions of modernization in this site, it's clear that people want to modernize.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/modernization

However, what is modern to some people may not seem modern to other people in the world. For instance, several years ago I met a man from Africa who had been sent by his church to a conference here in the U.S. Yet, his wife was still drawing water from the village well, and he hoped that his adult sons would dig him a well for their home. The proliferation of cell phones in developing and undeveloped countries is another indication that modernization is a world-wide trend.

However, some people reject modern movies and popular music. But most of them still want to modernize in other areas.

What are the features of sociology that distinguish it from everyday speculations of social life? Why did they emerge at the time that they did(about the 19th century)?

The features of sociology that distinguish it from everyday speculations of social life are:

1. Systematic and scientific approach: Sociology employs a systematic and scientific approach to study social phenomena. It relies on empirical evidence, rigorous research methodology, and theoretical frameworks to understand and explain social patterns and behaviors.

2. Focus on group dynamics: Sociology examines social life at the collective level, emphasizing the influence of social structures and institutions on individuals and groups. It explores how social interactions, norms, and power dynamics shape human behavior and society as a whole.

3. Objective and value-neutral perspective: Sociologists strive to maintain objectivity and avoid personal bias when studying social phenomena. They aim to understand social life from an unbiased standpoint, rather than relying on subjective opinions or individual experiences.

4. Generalization and theory-building: Sociology seeks to identify patterns, regularities, and trends in social life. By gathering data and analyzing social phenomena across different contexts, sociologists develop theories and concepts that can be applied to broader populations or society as a whole.

The emergence of sociology as a distinct discipline in the 19th century can be attributed to several factors:

1. Industrial revolution: The rapid social and economic changes brought about by the industrial revolution led to numerous social problems and inequalities. Sociologists sought to understand and address these issues, such as urbanization, poverty, and labor exploitation.

2. Enlightenment and rationalism: The intellectual movement of the Enlightenment promoted reason, logic, and scientific inquiry. This mindset influenced the development of sociology as scholars began to apply scientific methods to study social phenomena.

3. Rise of modern nation-states: The formation of modern nation-states created a need for understanding social order, citizenship, and social cohesion. Sociologists sought to analyze the social dynamics within these emerging nation-states.

4. New social theories and philosophies: Sociologists drew inspiration from various social theories and philosophies of the time, including positivism, liberalism, socialism, and functionalism. These provided conceptual frameworks for analyzing social life and societal dynamics.

Overall, the emergence of sociology in the 19th century was a response to the complex social changes and challenges of the time. It aimed to provide a scientific and systematic understanding of society, distinct from everyday speculations and subjective interpretations of social life.