5. Globalisation, Modernity and Post Modernity Flashcards
Modernity
-The coming or modern society (modernity) originated in Western Europe in the 18th century during Age of Enlightenment.
-Ideas reorientate the way we see the world
-There was a gradual shift towards rejecting mysticism, superstitious religious beliefs, intolerance and slavery towards a position of reasoning and rationality
-Goal of enlightenment thinkers was to inform public and encourage them to think for themselves
-Belief mankind can make continual progress towards a better future by adopting use of reason and science
Key characteristics of modern society
There are certain changes that separate modernity from the pre modern society:
National states
-Development of the modern national state.
-Refers to a sovereign central governing state have authority over a geographic area, in which people share a common culture, language and values.
-A key feature of the modern state is creation of large systems, e.g. administrative bureaucracies, education, welfare and legal systems which regulate and govern peoples lives. Often represented by a flag.
Capitalism
-The economy of modern society is capitalism.
-This is the ability of private ownership to the means of production such as factories, land, shops and technology and the use of waged labour, people who work in return for a wage (working class)
-Motive for producing goods and services is to sell them for a profit, not to satisfy people’s needs. Brought about the expansion of industrialisation.
Individualism
-Previously, customs, traditions and ascribed social status shaped peoples identity and in course life chances
-In modern society this has become less important as people move to individualisation; this means they now experience greater freedom and choose own life course.
Metanarratives
-Rationality and science. Traditional religion, magic and superstitions are abandoned and replaced with a rational and scientific mindset.
-Rationality and reasoning has led to the developments of metanarratives that attempt to give a complete explanation of the world we live in. E.g, evolutionary theory.
Metanarratives in sociology
-The aim of sociological perspectives, such as functionalism and Marxism, was to explain how society was structured and functioned and ways to make society better.
-For example, Karl Marx believed progress in society could be made once an end to exploitation ha been achieved, and the creation of a communist society based upon equality had been established.
-These are examples of metanarratives
Metanarratives change with society
Many sociologists began to focus more on issues such as culture, gender and social class and how they adapted with society. Traditional sociological ideas no longer represented the modern cultures in western society.
Post modernism
-Intellectual movement that free in 80’s
-Argue we have now moved from a modern to post modern society which is referred to as post modern era.
-Used to describe the ‘condition’ to world is in at the moment
-Reject ideas of enlightening and modern thinkers as they say were now living in a modern world and such ideas no longer applicable.
-We are experiencing changes in lifestyle never experience before so sociological theories no longer valid and a new set of ideas are needed
Possible cause of post modern societies: globalisation
-Globalisation has been suggested as a cause for postmodern world.
-Globalization can be defined as the increasing flow and ease of people, information, culture, services, and other resources across national boundaries.
-A consequence of globalisation means the national state and national differences are becoming less significant in people’s lives and the world is becoming more interconnected.
Impact or globalisation
-Technological advances make it easier for people to travel, communicate and conduct business internationally.
-The development of the internet, satellite TV and advancements in air travel have led to spread of knee knowledge undermining traditional belief systems and traditional sources of identity within local communities
Key characteristics of post modernity according to post modernists
Crisis in knowledge (Jean Francois Lyotard) , Media saturated society (Jean Baudrillard),
Risk society (Beck) Late modernity
-Put forward his theory of late modernity
-Argues central concern for all societies is risk
-No other historical period has faces the risks modern society faces.
-Example, global warming, nuclear disaster, terrorism, pollution, disease.
-Globalisation means concern is no longer confined to one country, national boundaries are no longer or importance
-Beck argues risks is global due to things such as as better technology
Reflexivity and late modernity (Anthony Giddens)
-Rejects postmodernist view that there is a growing diversity of identities, cultures, and a new way of life.
-Accepts we live in a runaway world and risk societies marked by new risks and uncertainty are just a continuation of of modern society.
-Argues defining characteristic of late modernity is rapid social change and this is the result of two factors:
Disembedding
-‘Lifting out of social relations from local contexts of interaction’
-In the pre modern stages of social life, Giddens argues, social interactions were constrained by space and time
-However now all it takes is electronic message meaning the lines separating local and global interactions have become blurry
