Postmodernism

Question 1

Type of theory

Answer 1

• Developed in late C20
• Rejects modernist belief that we can gain objective knowledge of how society operates
• Society now is chaotic, diverse and unpredictable that it is impossible to produce any true explanations
• Globalisation has contributed to this diversity by exposing us to a wider range of cultures
• Globalisation has caused 5 changes – rise of global capitalism, declining power of nation state, population growth, globalised markets, rise of information society
• Developments in media have led to a media – saturated society (we live in a hyperreality which has caused a blurring of media and reality
• We create our identity by picking and mixing from a range of media images we consume
• Diversity in society presents individuals with choice – we are disembedded from social structures which previously determined behaviour.
• Meta – narratives make claims of objective truth which postmodernism rejects as imposing. Seen as dangerous as they often create oppressive regimes e.g. Soviet Union
• Postmodernism – takes a relativist position (all views are true for those who hold them, all truth is equally valid, and we should celebrate a diversity of views)

Question 2

Modern society

Answer 2

1. Nation state: The modern world is made up of a series of separate societies, all which have their own state. The states create institutions, which regulate the lives of their citizens. For example, education. Key political unit in modern society.
2. Capitalism: The economy of a modern society is capitalist. Capitalism brought about the industrialisation of modern societies and huge increases in wealth. However wealth distribution is unequal resulting in a class conflict. Production organised by Fordist principles.
3. Rationality, science, technology: The scientific way of thinking has replaced the influence of religious explanations of the world. Technically efficient forms of organisation dominate socially and economically
4. Individualism: Tradition and status becomes less important. You can choose your own course in life and your own identity. However structural inequalities such as class remain important in defining someone’s identity.

Question 3

Globalisation

Answer 3

1. Technological changes: We can cross entire continents in a matter of hours. The internet helps in creating a time, space compression, closing distances between people. Also brings risks on a global scale e.g. greenhouse gas emission in one place affects flooding in other countries.
2. Economic changes: The global economy is becoming increasingly an electronic economy. Instead of producing physical goods, much activity involves the production of information such as music. Transnational corporations affected by globalisation. Controlled by ‘global capitalist class’.
3. Political changes: Many sociologists argue that globalisation undermines the power of the state. We live in a borderless world, which makes it harder for the nation state to regulate the activities of large capitalist enterprises.
4. Cultural and identity changes: Today, we find ourselves living in a global culture where western owned corporations spread the western culture around the world.

Question 4

Postmodernity

Answer 4

• Postmodernism is an unstable, fragmented, media saturated global village, where images and reality are indistinguishable. In a postmodern world, we can shape our identity through consumption.
• Foucault argues that there are no sure grounds for knowledge.
• Enlightenment project is dead and meta – narratives are just one version of reality

Question 5

Late modernity

Answer 5

• Giddens argues that a defining characteristic of late modernism is it experiences rapid change. This is because of two features:

1. Disembedding: We no longer need face to face contact to interact. Traditions no longer serve as a guide to how we act.
2. Reflexivity: Because tradition no longer tells us how to act, we are forced to become reflexive. We constantly monitor and reflect on our actions. Thus nothing is fixed and society becomes unstable
3. Giddens argues that we face a number of risks in a late modern society such as economic risks and environmental risks, for e.g. global warming. Also, many of the risks are man made rather than natural.
4. He argues we can make plans to reduce risks and achieve progress to a better society.

Question 6

Baudrillard

Answer 6

1. If we cannot guarantee our knowledge is correct then we cannot use it to improve society.
2. Thus any theory that claims to have the truth to improving society is a meta narrative – a big story, it is not the truth. Therefore there is no reason to accept their claims.
3. Relativist position - all views are true to those who hold them. No one has special access to the truth.
4. We should recognise and celebrate the diversity of views instead of seeking to impose one version of the truth on everybody.
5. Lyotard argues that in a post modern society, knowledge is a series of different language games, or ways of seeing the world.
6. Baudrillard argues that knowledge is central to a post modern society. Society is based on the buying and selling of knowledge in the forms of language and signs. Signs stand for nothing other than them selves. This is called simulacra. For example, soap opera characters are signs about signs and not about reality.
7. Baudrillard is negative about the post modern condition. The media has created a hyper reality – we are unable to distinguish between reality and media images. Consequently, we have lost the power to improve society.