Society according to postmodernists

Question 1

Relativity of knowledge

Answer 1

• Anti-foundationalist = believe there is no absolute objective truth
• All world views are meta-narratives (big stories) and all major sources of info are simply telling us how they view the world
• All knowledge is relative (what is true for one person is not necessarily true for another) eg some may be passionate about feminism others may not
• Lyotard : It is good to have a diversity of opinions + More people have a voice today

Question 2

Evaluation of relativity of knowledge

Answer 2

• Suggests there is a grey area between free speech and inappropriate expressions eg misogynist
• Some worldviews are more objectively true eg science
• Conflict theories argue that some views have more of a platform that others eg men

Question 3

Reality and fantasy

Answer 3

• Post modern society is based on production and consumption of knowledge (Baudrillard)
• Media produces it and the public consumes it
• Boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurring (society is a hyper reality where people cannot distinguish fact and fiction)
• Culture is media saturated (people are addicted)
• The media adopts a simulacra (dramatises events)

Question 4

Evaluation of reality and fantasy

Answer 4

• People are able to distinguish between reality and fantasy
• The rise in social media means people question what they are told more, not less
• Media manipulation is not necessarily a post modern problem

Question 5

Culture and identity are diversifying

Answer 5

• Structural influences on identity are no longer relevant eg family and gender
• People can construct their own identity via consumerism eg clothes or body modifications
• Culture has diversified due to immigration and globalisation
• Value consensus has weakened due to people being more individualistic and media saturation is dividing the population)
• People have less trust in political leaders
• People know only care about how to improve themselves

Question 6

Evaluation of culture and identity

Answer 6

• Not everyone is truly free to shape their identity as they please
• Political authority has not weakened eg COVID
• Due to media influences it can be argued that people are more controlled than ever before

Question 7

features of a modern society (4)

Answer 7

(Pre-globalistation)

1. Nation state
2. Capitalism
3. Rationality
4. Individualism

Question 8

Nation state

Answer 8

• Significance of government and politics for all citizens
• Rise of industrialisation led to the growth of a national economy which required a centralised government to oversea it
• Other elements of the nation state became more significant too eg the government became responsible for shaping the law, education, welfare etc
• National identity become more significant too as people felt a sense of belonging in their country eg the national anthem and flag became more important to individuals

Question 9

Capitalism

Answer 9

• Industrialisation coincided with the creation of a capitalist economy (based on private ownership of wealth and businesses which were generally factory based)
• Modern capitalism = organised capitalism as it was strictly monitored by the state
• Marxists raised concerns that the distribution of wealth under capitalism was unequal with the proletariat being exploited
• As capitalism developed, the means of production improved
• Fordist model of production (assembled lines to mass produce goods) led to the creation of affordable consumer items
• Improved standards of living to being able to afford material goods

Question 10

Rationality

Answer 10

• Decline in religious thinking and an incline of rational thinking
• Technology and science improved so people became intrigued about information which could be backed up with evidence
• Science and tech lead to improvements in job opportunities, consumerism and medical care
• This lead to secularisation as people no longer trusted religious explanations which couldn’t be backed up by evidence

Question 11

Individualism

Answer 11

• Modern society was more competitive and individualistic with people no longer having a strong sense of belonging to community
• Industries meant people had to compete against one another for job and status
• Emphasis on achieved over ascribed status
• Some people benefited from this more than others which continued inequalities in opportunity

Question 12

Society post globalisation

Answer 12

• Globalisation 1950-
• Interconnectedness between countries
• Until the 20th Century, global travel was largely restricted to only the wealthiest European citizens and connectedness was limited to trade links
• Globalisation in the UK increased following WW2 when people migrated from commonwealth countries in the 50s/60s
• Further accelerated from the 80s with the advancement of transport links and communication technology

Question 13

Post modern theory

Answer 13

Argues society has changed completely and we are now living in a totally different social world

Question 14

Late modern theory

Answer 14

Disagrees that society has changed completely and believes that some features of a modern society still exist but the way it operates has changed