Culture – and thereby also cultural heritage – is not an independent social system of its own. Culture is embedded in social systems and ways of life; only there can cultural heritage be preserved and realised. Taking a system-theoretical approach, this chapter presents several examples showing why modernity does not destroy tradition (or not to the extend often maintained): rather, it warmly embraces tradition as its elixir of survival, incorporating tradition into its own systems, thereby providing a place for it. Historical comparison with the bourgeoisie of the 'extended' 19th century shows how the preservation of tradition can provide compensation for the damages of modernisation. In that respect, the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage can also be seen as providing compensation for the damages done by modern-day globalisation, in effect serving the upkeep of modernity.