globalisation, modernity and postmodernity

Question 1

characteristics of a modern society

Answer 1

the nation state, capitalism, mass production, scientific thinking and technology

Question 2

globalisation is occurring because…

Answer 2

1. economic changes
2. technological changes
3. political changes
4. changes in culture and identity

Question 3

economic changes means

Answer 3

global networks encourage economic activity so the growth in transitional companies drives globalisation forward

Question 4

technological changes means

Answer 4

the internet and air travel collapse time and space barriers

Question 5

political changes means

Answer 5

the fall of communism and rise in transnational bodies have created opportunities for global capitalism

Question 6

changes in culture and identity means

Answer 6

westernised global culture makes it harder for cultures to exist in isolation - globalisation undermines traditional sources of identity

Question 7

postmodernism - there is no objective criteria to prove whether a theory is true…

Answer 7

• any theories claiming to have the truth about how to create a better society, therefore they reject meta narratives that reflect someones version of society
• we should celebrate a diversity of views rather than seek to impose one version of the truth

Question 8

postmodernism - the enlightenment project

Answer 8

in a post modern society, the media create a hyper reality - the media’s sign appear more real than reality itself, leaving us unable to distinguish between reality and image - if we cannot grasp reality, we lose the power to improve society, undermining the enlightenment project

Question 9

late modernity

Answer 9

some sociologists argue we are now in a period of late modernity, in which key features of modernity have been intensified

Question 10

giddens - 2 key features that encourage globalisation and rapid change

Answer 10

1. disembedding
2. reflectivity

Question 11

meaning of disembedding

Answer 11

lifting out of social relations from local contexts of interaction, factors such as credit break down geographical barriers and make interaction more personal

Question 12

meaning of reflexivity

Answer 12

traditional and custom no longer serve as guides to how we should act so we are forced to become reflexive meaning we are continually reevaluating our ideas - means culture becomes unstable