Modernity, Late modernity & Postmodernity Flashcards
What is modernity?
When did it begin? What is there a disagreement about among sociologists?
-Modernity refers to a particular era in human history. It is an era characterised by scientific thought, individualism, a focus on industrialisation and technical development and a rejection of some traditional values.
-The modern era began with the Renaissance, a period in European history from the 14th to 17th centuries, when modern ideas about science and philosophy began to become the norm.
-There is a disagreement regarding when the modern era ended. Some sociologists believe we are still in it, some think we are in a different form of moderntiy(late modernity) and others believe we are now in a new era called (postmodernity).
What two key thinkers are recognised in postmodern sociology?
What does postmodernism refer to?
What does Postmodernism suggest about today’s society?
What movement is dead?
-Baudrillard and Lyotard.
-Postmodernism refers to a broad movement across many academic disciplines and aspects of society; it rejects the apparent certainties that characterised the ideas associated with modernity.
-Postmodernism suggests we are now in a new historical era which is characterised by rapid change and choice.
-The enlightenment movement is now dead.
What are simulacra? How does this create a ‘hyper reality’?
Why is this criticised?
Why do People choose their identities rather than being born into them?
What is this called?
According to what sociologist why has this happened? What does it mean?
What do Marxists argue he ignores?
-Simulacra are symbols which stand for nothing else than what they are.
-We live in a ‘hyper reality’ where signs appear more real than reality itself.
-This is criticised because it is wrong to assume people as passive agents without the ability to distinguish between reality and media image.
-Baudrillard argues because identity has become destabilised: we can change it by simply changing our pattern of consumption from the media.
-‘Pick and mix’ culture
-Marxist argue that Baudrillard ignores how the ruling class use the media as a tool of ideological domination.
According to Lyotard what is knowledge?
What should we reject? Instead?
How does this empower previously oppressed groups?
-Lyotard argues that knowledge is just a series of ‘language games’ or ways of seeing the world.
-We should reject any ‘meta-narratives’ who claim monopoly of the truth. All views are true to those who hold them. We should therefore celebrate diversity of views.
-According to Lyotard Postmodernity allows groups who had been marginalised by modern society, such as ethnic minorities and women to be heard.
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What two sociologists are recognised for the marxist strand of postmodernity?
Unlike other postmodernists how do they agree with Beck and Giddens?
What have entered following the Enlightenment period?
What is ‘flexible accumulation’?
What has come about due to a promotion of cultural diversity through commodities? What has this weakened? What are these capable of forming?
Why are they criticised by Classical marxists?
-Jameson and Harvey.
-Like Beck and Giddens they believe in the Enlightenment project of achieving objective knowledge to improve society.
-They argue instead of a new type of society, we are merely in the most recent stage of capitalism.
-‘Flexible accumulation’= more job insecurities and workers are expected to be more flexible. As well as customised products for ‘niche markets’.
-Due to an emergence of cultural diversity there has been major political changes.
-Political changes have weakened the working class movement. In its place others have emerged, .e.g. feminism, environmentalism.
-These new movements however are capable of forming a ‘rainbow alliance’.
-Other marxists argue by accepting a fragmentation of anti-capitalist movements progress through working class revolution are therefore abandoned.
What is the main point made by late modernists about contemporary society?
What are the three main features of late modernity?
What 2 key sociologists are associated with late modernity?
-The main point made by late modernitsts is that the nature of contemporary society suggests a continuation of the modern era, rather than a break from it.
-The three main features of late modernity are;
Constant change, Individualism, Risk consciousness.
-Giddens and Beck.
According to Giddens what two key features of late-modern society encourage rapid change? Explain them.
What consequence has this had on culture?
-Two key features of high modernity which enourage globalisation and social change are: Disembedding, Reflexivity.
-Disembedding= Our ability to interact with one another without having to make face to face contact.
-Reflexivity=Tradition and custom no longer serve as guide to how we should act. (constantly re-evaluate ideas).
-Subsequently culture has now become increasingly unstable.
What late modernist came up with the term ‘manufactured risk’? What does this mean?
Unlike Postmodernists what do Late-Modernists argue we can do to reduce this?
Why are they criticised for this?
-Beck.
-We now face new high consequence risks, e.g. environmental harm. ‘Manufactured risks’ as they result from technology not nature.
-Late modernists such as Giddens and Beck argue we can make rational plans based on objective knowledge to reduce risks and achieve progress.
-This is criticised because not everyone can re-shape their lives after reflecting on the risks they face; e.g. poor people who live in polluted areas cannot afford to move to a healthier one.
Why are postmodernists criticised? Are changes really drastic? Lyotard’s competing theories? Marxist criticism?
-Some argue that social change has always occured but nothing so dramatic to constitute a whole new era.
-Some argue that if all theories are competing stories the same can be said for postmodernism.
-Marxists argue it is a ideology that seeks to justify capitalism. Creating the idea that it is too complex and interconnected to change.
Why are late modernists criticised by postmodernists? Are they very different?
-Postmodernists argue that late-modernists fail to recognise that the modern era has ended. They would argue that society has changed more dramatically than late modernists appreciate.
-Others would question whether late modernists and postmodernists are really saying anything so different. Many of the characteristics of postmodern society are similar to that of late modernists. The debate about whether this is a new era or continuation of the old one seems esoteric.
