Postmodernity and postmodernism Flashcards
Key features of modernity
Era charcatersied by scientific thought (rational and scientific thinking), indutsrailsitaion, tech development and rejection of some traditional values. Some believe we are still in this, others in late modernity and some in new era called postmodernity
Key features of late modernity
some believe we live in a global, fast moving and uncertain era = postmodernity
Giddens - late modernity
Key features of postmodernism
Greater importance placed on science and rational thought as trad. metanarratives no longer provide explanations for postmodern life. Experience globalisation which means new religions now integrated into society - pick n mix culture - choosing religon that suits their needs
Chaos, uncertainty and the collapse of social structures
Bauman stress society is in such a stage of constant change that’s unpredictable marked by chaos and uncertainty - ‘liquid modernity’ social structures like the family are breaking down. People now live in wide range of ever changing personal relationships - any notion of typical family = absurd (Gray)
E: We live in a runaway world and risk society that have brought us into late modernity instead of post
Pick n mx identities
Baudrillard - postmodernity involves search for satisfaction of media - created desires to consume with individual identity now formed by images + signs of designer labels gained from the media. They present identities drawn from across the world Bradley - people now adopt identities based on consumer lifestyles to meet diversity in their lives - no longer with religion/ sport etc
E: Harvey - changes that have occurred can be explained by modernist theories
Choice, identity, consumption
Few social constraints on people’s identity by structuralist approaches - society and social structures have fragmented. Lyotard postmodern societies now charactised by growing individualism - forming own identities through lifestyle etc. In media saturated society can pick n mix own identities based on range of constantly changing consumer goods
E: Do people trust everything they see in the media
You are what you buy?
Bauman - life in postmodern society resembles a mall - people can try out and change identities. People buy goods as identity symbols for image and impression they want to project. People pick n mix and adopt identities around consumer goods/ leisure in globalised consumer market.
E: Provides insight into contemporary social changes
Late modernity: Giddens late modernity and reflexivity
Accepts we live in a ‘runaway world and risk society’. But these changes are a continuation of modern society in intensified form which have brought us into late modernity which requires us to adapt not abandon trad theories. Giddens -late modernity characterised by social reflexivity - knowledge we gain from society can affect the way we act in it esp. as growing uncertainty. People constantly reflect on what and how they do things, weighing up risks when making choices. Giddens - helps people plan and act rationality in their ‘life projects’.
Late modernity: Harvey and Marxism
Can be explained by Marxism e.g. changes like growth of consumerism reflecting capitalism opening new markets and sources of profit in a global econ
Beck ‘risk society’ and reflexive modernity
Beck - new phase - reflexivity modernity - higher levels of uncertainty/ risk. Occur in everyday life in social institutions like family - rising divorce rates + in failings of science e.g. environmental pollution. Risks from science different from disasters and plagues in past which are beyond human control - in lm they have higher chances of spinning out of control e.g. climate change - such risks beyond control of individual nations. Beck - science can better lives so reducing risk but people have lost faith in their ability to manage risks so more individualised choices
