Modernity and Postmodernity

Question 1

Technological changes, globalisation and the move from Modernity to Postmodernity

Answer 1

Two key processes which underpin the move from ‘Modernity’ to ‘Postmodernity’ are technological changes and globalisation. The development of satellite communications and transport technologies seem to be the main causes of globalisation, or the increasing interconnectedness of people across the world. Today we live in a truly global economy with many products in the UK produced in other parts of the world, and many British products being exported to other countries. Cultural globalisation has also taken place – with more people moving and communicating with each other across the world. We also face a number of shared global problems – such as new risky technologies and ecological problems. There are many different perspectives on Globalisation, but it is hard to argue that it is happening and that we have moved into a post-modern era as a result.

Question 2

Modernity (1650 – 1970s ish) Industrial and Economic Contexts

Answer 2

Economic Con- texts
 Industrial economies – Production is central – jobs for life
 Nation State, most people vote and are in trades unions
 Organised/ Heavy Capitalism and the Welfare State

Question 3

Modernity (1650 – 1970s ish) Features of Society

Answer 3

ciety
 Culture reflects the underlying class and patriarchal structures
 Nuclear family the norm, marriage for life
 Identities shaped/ constrained by class position/ sex. (*)
 Media – one way communication, reflects ‘reality’

Question 4

Modernity (1650 – 1970s ish) Attitudes to Knowledge

Answer 4

 Enlightenment – Science/ Objective Knowledge
 Truth and Progress

Question 5

Modernity (1650 – 1970s ish) The role of Sociology

Answer 5

 Positivism/ Functionalism – doing research to find how societies function and gradually building a better world
 Marxism/ Feminism – concerned with emancipation – freeing individuals from oppression

Question 6

Postmodernity 1970s – Present Day Industrial and Economic Contexts

Answer 6

 Post-Industrial, service sector, portfolio workers and consumption is cen- tral
 Declining power of the Nation State
 Disorganised Capitalism/ Liquid Capitalism (Bauman

Question 7

Postmodernity 1970s – Present Day Features of Society

Answer 7

 Culture is free from structure – it is more Diverse and Fragmented
 Relationships more diverse
 More Individual Freedom to shape identities
 Media – more global, two- way, hyperreality (Baudrillard)

Question 8

Postmodernity 1970s – Present Day Attitudes to Knowledge

Answer 8

 Critique of the Enlightenment (Foucault)
 Incredulity towards Metanarratives (Lyotard)

Question 9

Postmodernity 1970s – Present Day The role of Sociology

Answer 9

 Narrative histories (Foucault) done on an individual basis
 Deconstruction (Lyotard) and Destabilising Theory (Judith Butler)