Introduction - 1.4 The Postmodernist Theory of Culture, Society and Identity

Question 1

Define Post-Industrial

Answer 1

Stage in society’s development when the service sector of the economy generates more wealth than the industrial / manufacturing sector of the economy

Question 2

Define Consumption

Answer 2

When consumers spend money on products (shopping)

Question 3

Define Consumerism

Answer 3

When the society is preoccupied with buying consumer goods

Question 4

Define Conspicuous Consumption

Answer 4

When individuals spend a lot on luxuries in the attempt to enhance one’s prestige

Question 5

Define Nation-States

Answer 5

A sovereign state where most of the citizens / subjects are united by factors defining the nation
(language, possession of territory with borders etc)

Question 6

Define Meta-Narratives

Answer 6

Grand theories aiming at explaining society and human behaviour

Question 7

Define Relativism

Answer 7

View that there is absolute truth and all opinions and experiences have validity

Question 8

Define Post-Truth

Answer 8

Situation where the expert opinion and facts are less influential to shape public attitudes than emotion, faith and personal belief

Question 9

Define Individualism

Answer 9

Being free from any external pressures and one can pursue their own dreams and desires (even at the expense of others)

Question 10

Define Narcissism

Answer 10

Extreme selfishness, when one only sees their own talents and crave admiration

Question 11

Define New Age Religion

Answer 11

A religion that is aimed to help people find spiritual fulfilment through types of practices (meditation, healing, self-discovery, etc)

Question 12

Define Self-Religions

Answer 12

A new age religion claiming to improve self

Question 13

Define New Social Movements

Answer 13

Political movements that reach out globally by young people and is coordinated online (can be radical)

Question 14

Define High Modernity

Answer 14

The later stages of modern societies was associated with manufactured risks to the ecology of the planet and high levels of individualism

Question 15

Define Manufactured Risks

Answer 15

When consumer demand rise, risks are created, but the goods and inability of capitalism is aimed to manufacture these goods without risking the environment

Question 16

Define Individualisation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Define Risk Society

Answer 17

Beck believed that when capitalists use technology there are many negative consequences for the humankind (pollution, new diseases and environmental destruction

Question 18

Define Liquid Modernity

Answer 18

Bauman used this term to describe the later stages of modernity, that is characterised by uncertainty

Question 19

Define Late Modernity

Answer 19

Giddens - later stages of modern society that is claimed by globalisation and reflexivity

Question 20

Define Reflexivity

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define Late Capitalism

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Define Monopoly

Answer 22

The exclusive possession or control over the supply / trade in a commodity / service

Question 23

Define Oligopoly

Answer 23

A limited competition where a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers