Postmoderist Explanations of Inequality

Question 1

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Exam Intro

Answer 1

Modern society is fragmented & inequality has an individual meaning

Jameson - Has sympathy with the Marxist theory

→ divisions in society are a product of ‘late capitalism’ but cannot be explained by economic divisions alone

Question 2

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Key Points & Theorists

Answer 2

Lyotard
Baudrillard
Rojek

Question 3

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Lyotard

Answer 3

CAGE social categories are from the period & traditional theory which is no longer meaningful because groups / societies DO NOT share common norms & values

Consumer society & choice of material goods advertised in the media makes people feel unequal (they lack what others appear have)

Question 4

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Baudrillard

Answer 4

Society is fragmented

• People do not share ideas and values & so do not subscribe to a group identity
• Society has a two-minute attention span
  
  • E.g. fashion trends & fast food

Question 5

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Rojek

Answer 5

Gives examples on how people live in an unreal world of theme parks and consumerism

• People create their own identity by what they buy rather than by reference to people around them

Question 6

Postmodernist Explanations of Inequality:
Evaluation

Answer 6

:) - Recognise that society is changing: lifestyles have changed and people are being more diverse

:( - Offers no explanation to inequality because it denies that it exists
→ Despite statistics showing divisions between the wealthy and poor are wider than ever