globalisation, modernity and post modernity

Question 1

what is modern society?

Answer 1

emerged in 18th century in western europe having a number of characteristics that make it different to traditional societies

Question 2

what is modernists definition of the nation state characteristic?

Answer 2

a bounded territory ruled by a powerful state, whose population usually shares the same culture

Question 3

what is modernists definition of capitalism characteristic?

Answer 3

the economy of modern society is capitalist where ruling class exploit working class

Question 4

what is modernist definition of rationality, science and technology?

Answer 4

scientific ways of thinking now dominate and influence magic religious explanations

Question 5

what is modernists definition of individualism?

Answer 5

we experience greater freedom and define our own identity

Question 6

what is globalisation?

Answer 6

increasing connectedness of people across national boundaries

Question 7

what is globalisation’s teleological change?

Answer 7

we can now cut across continents in a matter of hours or exchange information across the glob due to technology which may bring risk as humans well being could be threatened by human made technology rather than natural disease

Question 8

what is globalisation’s economic change?

Answer 8

economic activity now takes place within a set of global networks that’s create interconnectedness

Question 9

what is globalisation’s political change?

Answer 9

some sociologists argue globalisation has undermined the nation state as we now live in a borderless world

Question 10

what is globalisations changes in culture and identity?

Answer 10

globalisation makes it harder for cultures to exist in isolation for one another due to mass media

Question 11

what is postmodernism?

Answer 11

argue that we are living in a phase of post modernity which is an unstable, fragmented, media statured global image of reality
stresses chaos and uncertainty in society

Question 12

what does postmodernist Baudrillard argue?

Answer 12

argues knowledge is central to postmodern society and is no longer based on perdition of material goods buy buying and selling knowledge

Question 13

what are some criticisms of postmodernism?

Answer 13

it ignores power and inequality
overlooks effects of poverty in restricting opportunities
postmodernists are wrong to claim that people cannot distinguish between fact and reality

Question 14

what does Lyotard argue?

Answer 14

claimed scientific progress was widening the gap between rich and poor which is damaging society
science has helped destroy metanarratives of religion

Question 15

what is late modernity?

Answer 15

we are seeing continuations of modernity instead of a new postmodern era, believing the enlightenment project can improve society

Question 16

what does Giddens argue?

Answer 16

disembedding- we no longer need face to face contact in order to interact
reflexivity- we are continually re-evaluating our ideas as nothing is fixed or permanent

Question 17

what does Beck argue about risk society?

Answer 17

manufactured risk- risks that we face today have been created by human activity
individualisation- we think for ourselves and reflect possible consequences to actions
risk consciousness- we are more aware of risks than ever and work to avoid them

Question 18

what are some criticisms of late modernity?

Answer 18

capitalism is the cause of risk in society
society is now too fragmented so certain movements are unable to bring change
poor don’t always have means to weigh up any risks