Introduction - 1.4 The Postmodernist Theory of Culture, Society and Identity Flashcards
Define Post-Industrial
Stage in society’s development when the service sector of the economy generates more wealth than the industrial / manufacturing sector of the economy
Define Consumption
When consumers spend money on products (shopping)
Define Consumerism
When the society is preoccupied with buying consumer goods
Define Conspicuous Consumption
When individuals spend a lot on luxuries in the attempt to enhance one’s prestige
Define Nation-States
A sovereign state where most of the citizens / subjects are united by factors defining the nation
(language, possession of territory with borders etc)
Define Meta-Narratives
Grand theories aiming at explaining society and human behaviour
Define Relativism
View that there is absolute truth and all opinions and experiences have validity
Define Post-Truth
Situation where the expert opinion and facts are less influential to shape public attitudes than emotion, faith and personal belief
Define Individualism
Being free from any external pressures and one can pursue their own dreams and desires (even at the expense of others)
Define Narcissism
Extreme selfishness, when one only sees their own talents and crave admiration
Define New Age Religion
A religion that is aimed to help people find spiritual fulfilment through types of practices (meditation, healing, self-discovery, etc)
Define Self-Religions
A new age religion claiming to improve self
Define New Social Movements
Political movements that reach out globally by young people and is coordinated online (can be radical)
Define High Modernity
The later stages of modern societies was associated with manufactured risks to the ecology of the planet and high levels of individualism
Define Manufactured Risks
When consumer demand rise, risks are created, but the goods and inability of capitalism is aimed to manufacture these goods without risking the environment
Define Individualisation
A social feature of postmodernity encouraging members of the society to put their interest before the interests of the wider society. Selfishness is created, instead of selflessness
Define Risk Society
Beck believed that when capitalists use technology there are many negative consequences for the humankind (pollution, new diseases and environmental destruction
Define Liquid Modernity
Bauman used this term to describe the later stages of modernity, that is characterised by uncertainty
Define Late Modernity
Giddens - later stages of modern society that is claimed by globalisation and reflexivity
Define Reflexivity
State where one can examine one’s own feelings, reactions and motives for acting and them being able to adjust one’s behaviour / identity accordingly
Define Late Capitalism
Marxists - the later stages of modern capitalist society. Capitalism’s ability to exploit new global markets and creating new forms of labour to generate profit
Define Monopoly
The exclusive possession or control over the supply / trade in a commodity / service
Define Oligopoly
A limited competition where a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers