Postmodernism

Question 1

What is modernity?

Answer 1

1700s- marx,func,fem could not explain changing society

Question 2

What is postmodernity?

Answer 2

1980s- new media, rapid tech, insecure, unpredicatble

Question 3

What are the 3 Key features of PM society?

Answer 3

1- globalisation
2- Technological changes
3- Changed in culture and identity

Question 4

1) What is Globalisation?

Answer 4

The growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, with the spread of the same culture, consumer good and economic interests

Question 5

2) Feature of globalisations
- TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

Answer 5

We can now cross countries in a matter of hours, or exchange information across the globe with the click of a mouse.

Question 6

3) Feature of globalisation
- CHANGES IN CULTURE AND IDENTITY

Answer 6

Harder for cultures to exist in isolation
We now live in a global culture
E.G. Nike sell the same consumer goods in many countries which help to promote similar tastes

Question 7

What are the other 2 key features of PM spciety?

Answer 7

1- Disembedding
2- Chaos and uncertainty

Question 8

1) DISEMBEDDING- GIDDENS

Answer 8

• no longer embedded into local contexts, but are influenced by the global frameworks
  Shop on the internet regardless of time or location

Question 9

What is the definition of disembedding?

Answer 9

The way social relations are lifted out of context and no longer confined by space or time

Question 10

2) CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY- BAUDRILLARD

Answer 10

• Society is in a state of liquid modernity
• structures such as the family and SC are breaking down
• to call the family an institution is nonsense
• all means we no longer have a ‘typical family’

Question 11

What is a metanarrative?

Answer 11

Big theories like Marxism which seek to explain society as a whole. According to PM, these no longer apply because society has become fragmented

Question 12

What does LYOTARD think about metanarratives?

Answer 12

Described PM as an ‘incredulity to metanarratives’ and argues people no longer believe in the ‘myth of the truth’

Question 13

What does growing individualism mean?

Answer 13

Mass of individuals with few social bonds connecting them, form their identities through individuals choices on health, lifestyle etc
- pick n mix out identities

Question 14

What is a media saturated society?

Answer 14

Life is dominated through media imagery and it distorts the way we see the world

Question 15

What does BAURILLARD mean by simulacra and how it leads to hyper-reality?

Answer 15

S- images/reproductions which appear to reflect the real world but have no reality
H- view of the world that is created and defined by media, image of event is more real than what is depicted

Question 16

What does it mean by ‘you are what you buy’?

Answer 16

BAUMAN
- PM society resembles a shopping mall
- by goods as identity symbols
- impression they wish to project
- build themselves- choice of leisure activities and consumer goods

Question 17

What are the 4 key words to Mcdonalidization?

Answer 17

1- efficiency
2- predictability
3- control and replacement of humans by non-human technology
4- calculability

Question 18

What does RITZER mean by Mcdonaldization?

Answer 18

• process and principles of fast food dominate
  -chain mentality
• Weber’s rationalization
• R uses Mcdonalds as an analogy
• practicality and convenience

Question 19

Evaluation
GIDDENS: Late modernity and reflexivity

Answer 19

• accepts changed such as globalisation but argues that these changes are a contribution of modern society in an intensified form, not a new era of post modernity but late/high modernity
• Late modernity is characterised by reflexivity meaning the knowledge we gain from society can affect the way we act on it

Question 20

Evaluation
BECK: ‘Risk Society’

Answer 20

Argues we are in ‘second modernity’ known as reflexive modernity
- high levels of uncertainty and risk
- risks can be seen in the family such as high divorce rates

Question 21

Evaluation
HARVEY n Marxism

Answer 21

Suggests many of these changes discussed by PM can be explained by Marxism. Fore example, globalisation reflects capitalism opening up new sources of profits

Question 22

General strengths of PM

Answer 22

• highlights the importance of cultural changes
• emphasises the construction of identity
• challenges sociological metanarratives, causing sociologists to reflect on their assumptions

Question 23

General weaknesses of PM

Answer 23

X Assumes people are passive and easily influenced by the media
X Exaggerates the scale pf social change- cultural tastes are still strongly influenced by class, gender etc