POSTMODERNISM Flashcards
Give a brief definition for Postmodernism - why does the theory exist?
The growing impact of technology and media means that the debate on nature, extent, and causes of these changes are highly controversial.
Some believe that the changes are so fundamental that we have moved from a modern society to a postmodern society. Others believe that these changes are simply part of the modernity itself.
What are the two predominant views we have in society today?
Postmodern views and modern views
What do modernist theorists believe in?
What movement were they a part of?
ENLIGHTENMENT PROJECT/MOVEMENT
They share ideas that suggest society can progress through human reasoning and that rationality helps us discover the truth of our natural world.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Nation State
Fundamental unit in modern society, as a powerful centralised state controls a bounded territory in which a population usually shares the same language and culture.
The state is the focal point of modern society.
These modern states have created many institutions which regulate our lives which is important for a sense of national identity e.g., the flag.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Capitalism
Our economic organisation is based on the private ownership of the means of production and the use of wage labourers.
Capitalism brought the industrialisation of society.
This distribution is unequal, which creates class conflict.
The nation-state is predominant in maintaining capitalism.
With our modern industry, the production is organised on Fordist principles – the mass production of standardised products in large factories, using low unskilled labour. These cheap mass-produced goods create higher standards of living.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Capitalism - Fordist principles
With our modern industry, the production is organised on Fordist principles:
The mass production of standardised products in large factories, using low unskilled labour.
These cheap mass-produced goods create higher standards of living.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Rationality, Science, Technology
Rational, secular, and the scientific ways of thinking dominate and the influence of religious explanations of the world decline.
The technically efficient forms of organisation e.g., factories, dominate social + economic life.
Science becomes fundamentally important in industry and medicine etc.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Individualism
The tradition and customs and the ascribed status becomes significantly less important as the foundation for our actions.
We experience more personal freedom and can choose our own course in life.
Though, structural inequalities such as class remain important in shaping people’s identity which also restricts their choices etc.
What do modernist theorists believe in?
Individualism - structural inequalities
However much personal freedom we are given, structural inequalities such as class remain important in shaping people’s identity which also restricts their choices etc.
GLOBALISATION
What do sociologists think of globalisation?
Sociologists argue that we are now fundamentally affected by globalisation which is the increasing interconnectedness with people beyond national boundaries.
GLOBALISATION
Technological changes - what does Beck think?
Because on intercontinental travel, we can exchange information across the globe easily.
Satellite communications, internet, global television have assisted in creating the time-space compression, which essentially closes the distance between people.
This does bring risks e.g., greenhouse gas production increases sea levels and flooding in low-lying countries. Beck believes we live in a ‘risk society’
GLOBALISATION
Economic Changes - money never sleeps
Economic activity takes place now in a set of global and interconnected networks.
Instead of physical goods production, we see the production of information, music, tv etc. These are produced and distributed through global electronic networks.
Money never sleeps, because global 24-hour transactions mean that funds can be transferred around the world for profit.
GLOBALISATION
Economic changes - how does this also contribute to the risk society?
This also contributes to our risk society e.g., 2008 World Financial Crisis. Another major economic force pushing globalisation forward is trans-national companies, which essentially operate across frontiers, who organise production on a global scale. These TNCs are western based e.g., Coca-Cola. The small elite are so powerful, that the largest 500 of these TNCs account for half of the total value of the commodities produced world-wide.
GLOBALISATION
Political Changes - what do Lash and Urry think?
Globalisation has undermined the power of the nation-state.
We now live in a borderless world, where TNCs have more economic power than the national governments and so states cannot regulate the activities of the larger capitalist enterprises.
This is known by Lash and Urry as ‘disorganised capitalism’
GLOBALISATION
Changes in culture and identity - do we live in cultural isolation?
Globalisation makes it more difficult for cultures to exist in isolation, especially as information and communicative technology such as the mass media is so prevalent.
We live in a global culture where Western-owned media companies spread Western culture to the rest of the world… economic integration encourages a global culture.
TNCs such as Nike, sell the same consumer goods in multiple countries – this promotes similar tastes across national borders. Globalisation undermines the traditional sources of identity such as class… the shift of manufacturing from the West to developing countries
POSTMODERNISM
Give a brief explanation as to what this is
Intellectual movement that emerged in the 1970s.
An unstable, fragmented, media-saturated global village – image and reality are indistinguishable.
We define ourselves by what we consume.
POSTMODERNISM
Knowledge - what is anti-foundationalism?
Postmodernists believe that there are no sure foundations to knowledge - there is no objective criteria we can use to prove a theory true or false.
POSTMODERNISM
Knowledge - anti-foundationalism’s first consequence
The Enlightenment Project’s goal of progressing through true, scientific knowledge is dead – we cannot guarantee our knowledge is truthful, so we cannot use it to improve society.
POSTMODERNISM
Knowledge - anti-foundationalism’s second consequence
Any theory claiming to have the absolute truth about how to create a better society (e.g., Marxism) is just one person’s version of reality, it is nowhere near the truth. Consequently, there is no reason to accept the claims that the theory itself makes. They reject meta-narratives because they are known to create oppressive states like Communist USSR.
POSTMODERNISM
Knowledge - relativism and diversity
Postmodernists take a relativist position – they believe that all views are true for those who hold them. No one has access to the truth, and all accounts of reality are valid.
We should celebrate the diversity of views rather than impose one version of truth on everyone.
POSTMODERNISM
Knowledge - what does Jean-Francois Leotard believe?
Jean-Francois Lyotard believes that knowledge (is not about truth) but rather is a series of different ‘language games or perceptions of the world. This view sees postmodern society as preferable to modern society where meta-narratives claim a monopoly of truth (USSR)
Postmodernity allows groups who have been marginalised by modern society to be heard.
POSTMODERNISM
Baudrillard - what does he believe?
Baudrillard addresses how knowledge is central to our postmodern society.
He believes our society is no longer based on the production of material goods, but on buying and selling knowledge in signs and images – unlike in past societies, these bear no relation to physical reality.
