T&M - Globalisation, Modernity & Postmodernity Flashcards
What is the key political unit in modern society according to Modernist thinkers?
The Nation State
The Nation State has clear boundaries and is ruled by a powerful centralized government.
What is capitalism defined as in modernist societies?
The private ownership of the means of production and the use of wage labourers
Capitalism results in unequal wealth distribution.
What are the key features of Modernity?
- The Nation State
- Capitalism
- Rationality, Science and Technology
- Individualism
What has globalization led to regarding nation-states?
Nation states have lost their power to define and control individuals
Globalization refers to increased interconnectedness of nation states.
What are the four changes that have brought about globalization?
- Technological Changes
- Economic Changes
- Political Changes
- Changes in Culture and Identity
How do technological changes contribute to globalization?
They create a global village through the internet and global communications
This has also increased cybercrime.
What is the anti-foundationalist viewpoint of Foucault?
There are no longer sure foundations to knowledge that allow us to prove a theory true or false
Foucault critiques modernist thinkers.
What does Lyotard argue about knowledge in a postmodern world?
Knowledge is just a way of seeing the world, allowing marginalised groups to be heard
Metanarratives are no longer able to understand a chaotic world.
What does postmodernism argue about society?
We live in a fragmented, unstable, media-saturated global village where image and reality are indistinguishable.
What does hyper-reality mean?
Culture becomes fragmented and unstable due to endless media-produced images and versions of the truth.
What is the problem with multiple meta-narratives according to postmodernists?
They undermine people’s faith in any one version of truth
Religion is an example of this issue.
According to Baudrillard, what does media-created hyper-reality do?
It leaves us unable to distinguish between image and reality.
What does Harvey argue about postmodern society?
It is a new stage of capitalism rather than a break from the past
He believes Marxist theories can adapt to understand society.
What is flexible accumulation?
A production system that allows for job insecurity and the switching of production between products.
What impact has flexible accumulation had on consumption?
It has commodified leisure, culture, and identity.
What do theories of late modernity propose?
They recognize important social changes as a continuation of modernity rather than a new postmodern era.
What is Giddens’ concept of reflexivity?
The continuous monitoring and modification of our behavior in light of new information and risks.
What does Beck describe as ‘manufactured risks’?
Risks that result from human activity in a late modern society.
What is risk consciousness?
An awareness of perceived risks that influences actions to minimize them.
How does environmentalism relate to late modernity?
It aims to reduce risks caused by technological and industrial development.
What is a criticism of postmodern theories from a Marxist perspective?
They ignore power and inequality, viewing media images as tools of the ruling class.
What does Hirst argue about movements such as environmentalism?
They will not bring about change due to their fragmented nature.
