Post-Modernism, Late-Modernity + Globalisation

Question 1

what are the 4 features of modern society

Answer 1

• the nation-state
• capitalism
• rationality, science and technology
• individualism

Question 2

outline capitalism as a feature of modern society

Answer 2

• in modern soc, capitalism led to the ability for some to own the means of production and others to offer cheap labour
• this created divides in which the nation state regulates + maintains
• production is based on Fordist principles, in which there is cheap mass production in large factories using low skill labour

Question 3

outline rationality, science and technology as a feature of modern society

Answer 3

• religious explanations of the world declines and is replaces with scientific thought
• technology dominates social and economic life

Question 4

outline individualism as a feature of modern society

Answer 4

• tradition, custom and ascribed status becomes less important
• there’s more freedom about life choices and identity
• however structural inequalities, like class, still shape peoples identities + choices

Question 5

outline the nation state as a feature of modern society

Answer 5

• the idea that countries are bounded territory ruled by a centralised state whole population shares the same language + culture
• the modern world is made of separate societies that can influence its inhabitants identities

Question 6

define globalisation

Answer 6

• Globalisation = the process of increasing inter-connectedness of people across national boarders

Question 7

what are 4 changes that came with globalisation

Answer 7

• technology changes
• cultural/ identity changes
• political changes
• economic changes

Question 8

outline technology changes as a result of globalisation

Answer 8

• people can now connect to anyone anywhere at any time with the use of developed technology
• e.g. WhatsApp, Instagram, Facetime

Question 9

outline cultural/ identity changes as a result of globalisation

Answer 9

• due to immigration, cultures are more blended (global culture)
• this is also encouraged through the media

Question 10

outline political changes as a result of globalisation

Answer 10

• globalisation has undermined the power of the nation state
• as we now live in a borderless world in which the consumer has more economic power than governments
• disorganised capitalism = states are now less able to control the activities of large capitalist enterprises

Question 11

outline economic changes as a result of globalisation

Answer 11

• economic activity takes place within a ever-greater interconnectedness
• there is now an electric economy, in which money never sleeps and there are global 24hr financial transactions
• this contributes to a risk society

Question 12

outline Foucault’s view of postmodernity

Answer 12

• all theories based on enlightenment are outdated and have no use
• all previous theories are meta narratives/ big stories presenting one truth - which isn’t applicable in postmodern society

Question 13

outline Lyotard’s view of postmodernity

Answer 13

• due to competing views, there is a variety of truth within PM society
• this variety of truth allows for more individualised experiences, in which marginalised voices can be heard in society

Question 14

outline Baudrillard’s view of postmodernity

Answer 14

• media offers signs/ simulacra which bear little resemblance to reality - which forms a hyperreality
• PM culture has replaced reality with simulacra and so we can no longer distinguish reality from simulacra - this is evident in the media
• making progress is near impossible

Question 15

outline late modernity

Answer 15

• as a result of social change, traditional norms on how to behave have broken down and we have become extremely individualised
• this individualisation means we have to be more reflexive (monitor our actions)
• due to reflexivity, were constantly re-evaluating ideas and so nothing is fixed/ permanent

Question 16

Late modernity: outline Becks ‘risk society’

Answer 16

• Beck: reflexivity causes a ‘risk society’ in which modern risks are not restricted to place or time
• there are 4 main types of risk
• reflexive modernisation = being able to adapt our behaviour and improve conditions around us
• we have also risk consciousness in which we have an awareness of perceived risks

Question 17

name Becks 4 main types of risk

Answer 17

• surveillance
• escalation of military power
• collapse of economic growth
• environmental risks

Question 18

in late modernity, what has globalisation done to society in Giddens view

Answer 18

• Giddens believes globalisation has led to disembedding; we no longer need face to face contact to interact
• disembedding breaks down geographical barriers and makes interactions impersonal

Question 19

what do postmodern Marxists believe

Answer 19

• society has moved to postmodernity - postmodernity in the sense that it is simply a later stage of capitalism
• capitalism has changed + grown to a ‘new regime of accumulation’ in which, based on post Fordism, production is catered to specific needs among the diverse market of niche products
• thus, jobs are more flexible to adapt to market changes
• this shifting nature of capitalism has helped to create a diverse, individualised and fragmented society

Question 20

what other change do PM Marxists think the shift in capitalism has caused

Answer 20

• political change
• the fragmented identity of society has weakened the position of the w/c
• due to the diversity of groups, there is no longer one collective aim for progress - thus reducing the chances of overcoming capitalism

Question 21

what do PM Marxists Harvey and Jameson say

Answer 21

• H + J are hopeful that a ‘rainbow alliance’ can occur in which different groups unite in a communist rebellion
• thus, progress and change are difficult but hopeful